A huge expansion of nuclear power was signalled by the British government today as it named 10 sites where new power stations could be built.
Nine of the new sites are in England, including three in Cumbria, with the 10th in Anglesey, North Wales.
Energy and climate secretary Ed Miliband told the Commons that Dungeness, Kent had been ruled out as a site for a new nuclear power station due to the potential impact on the local eco-system but that the other ten shortlisted sites had been accepted.
The first station is set to be operational by 2018 and, by 2025, nuclear electricity generation could amount to around 40 per cent of new energy provision.
Mr Miliband set out an “ambitious” new policy for the transition to clean-coal generation, as well as confirming targets for generating 30 per cent of electricity from renewable sources by 2020.
He said a streamlined planning process would mean a clear timetable of one year from the acceptance of an application to a decision.
The energy secretary also said there would be no new coal-fired power stations unless they were fitted with carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology.
PA