Comment on Moorside nuclear power plant

Toshiba announces plans to wind up UK-based nuclear development company NuGen

By George Smeeton

info@eciu.net

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Commenting on the announcement by Toshiba of plans to wind up UK-based nuclear development company NuGen, which was planning to build a new power station at Moorside in Cumbria, Dr Jonathan Marshall, Head of Analysis at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) said:

NuGen was planning to develop a new nuclear power station at Moorside in Cumbria. Image: NuGen
NuGen was planning to develop a new nuclear power station at Moorside in Cumbria. Image: NuGen

"The demise of plans for a new power station at Moorside should be seen as an opportunity, rather than a risk. Shifting away from expensive, complicated technology towards cheaper and easier to build renewables gives the UK the opportunity to build an electricity system that will keep bills for homes and businesses down for years to come.

“UK offshore wind is already significantly cheaper than nuclear, with onshore and solar power offering even greater savings. The technology needed to shore up supply from variable sources is also getting more competitive, with storage one of the brightest lights. Cancelling Moorside does leave a gap in the UK’s decarbonisation plans, but one that is more likely to be filled with the technologies of the future rather than the past."