In 1974 I was three years old.

One of my first memories involves a candle. I was fascinated by the light as it was reflected around the room. Everywhere else was dark and the light seemed to dance in magical ways. It was very exciting and fun.

But the truth is that power shortages are only fun if you are a child.

The prospect of power cuts this winter is actually quite frightening – especially for the elderly.

National Grid has warned that significant blackouts could return this winter after a 34-year hiatus. It’s all down to repairs at aging nuclear reactors and pollution rules that limit coal burning.

Britain’s energy crunch has begun.

This winter, the lack of spare capacity in the system means that should one of the 38 power stations across the country have a fault, we will be plunged into darkness.

This is why the sale of British Energy to EDF this week was so, so important. Our energy infrastructure is outdated and crumbling. We don’t have time to debate the whys and wherefores.

The prospect has caused UK power prices for this winter to rise to a record. Wholesale prices are more than double the level they were at this time last year.

This news is a warning. It’s a warning to the anti-nuclear brigade. It is the sort of future we will have if we don’t build nuclear power stations now.

Britain's increasing reliance on wind power will also not help, because output fluctuates wildly depending on the weather.

EDF wants to build four giant nuclear plants, but the first of these is unlikely to be ready for a decade. These will be designed by Areva, which is majority-owned by the French government.

The reactors will be of the European Pressurized Reactor (EPR) type. The EPR is a light water reactor, using it both for moderation and coolant. Its fuel is enriched uranium with up to 5% uranium-235.


Regards,

Garry White
For The Right Side

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