New nuclear stations are likely at Hinkley Point, Oldbury, Wylfa, Heysham, Sellafield, Hartlepool, Sizewell and Bradwell, as unlike Scotland, they are getting on with the planning and investment issues says GMB.
GMB Scotland, the union for energy workers in Scotland, is warning that Scotland runs the risk of missing out on a new generation of nuclear power stations as there are no plans to replace Hunterston B and Torness. Both are now due to be decommissioned in 2023. GMB say this is due to the Scottish Government's lack of strategy and vision on how to meet Scotland's energy needs.
This warning comes in the wake of the announcement that EDF, which runs these two nuclear power stations in Scotland, has reached agreement to build a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point in Somerset. See notes to editors for copy of press statement.
Jim Moohan, GMB Scotland Senior Organiser, said “This go ahead at Hinkley Point C should serve as wake-up call on the serious risk of Scotland missing out on the next generation of new nuclear power stations.
As things stand it is likely that the next generation of power stations will be built at Hinkley Point, Oldbury, Wylfa in Angelsea, Heysham, Sellafield, Hartlepool, Sizewell in Suffolk and Bradwell in Essex as they are getting on with the planning and investment issues.
By contract the First Minister is hanging on to the coattails of the UK Government on the nuclear question without giving clear indication to the Scottish people what safeguards he has in place for the long term.
The renewables factor will not sustain our energy requirements. It is time the pressure groups and politicians who continually put down the nuclear sector come clean as to how they would address our energy needs in the long term.
The stark reality is that Hunterston, commissioned in 1976, and Torness, commissioned in 1988, will have to be decommissioned in 2023 after four decades of successful operation.
The First Minister and the opponents totally ignored this history of success. The skill loss at these stations will be devastating to the Scottish economy unless we get on with making a replacement decisions.
The First Minister has to come clean on his strategy. This must be supported by substance and facts, with supporting evidence of how the Scottish Government intends to protect our energy supply and with what means they intend to carry this out.
GMB is clear that a nuclear build programme is vital to the Scottish economy. It has a proven track record of clean and carbon free vital for the balanced energy policy Scotland needs.
There is a fantastic opportunity for job growth within the area which will create a new wealth of apprenticeships for the future with technical experience and the creation of thousands of jobs within the construction sector alongside a multi-billion pound boost for the economy.
The other energy giants within the Scottish economy continue to look at ways of reducing the carbon emission to adhere to EU legislation. There is a clear message coming through that nuclear with its track record is vital for the continuation of a viable economy within Scotland as part of the UK sector.
The safety within the nuclear sector within the UK has been dramatically improved from the outset of the establishment of that Industry and continues to thrive on as zero tolerance on health and safety.”