RWE npower
Why new nuclear?
New nuclear build is a key part of RWE npower’s commitment to meeting the UK’s energy needs and to reducing its carbon dioxide intensity.
Moving to a low carbon economy while maintaining affordable and secure supplies of energy represents one of the biggest challenges the UK faces. It is a challenge that the energy industry - including RWE npower - is working hard to address.
European Legislation means that 30% of existing coal and oil-fired power stations are due to close by 2015. In addition, older, existing nuclear stations are already closing and according to current plans most will have closed by 2020 as they reach the end of their operational lives. Despite efforts to improve efficiency, demand for electricity is expected to increase and if power plants are not replaced the UK could face a major shortfall in electricity supply.
With many power stations set to close over the next 10-15 years, the UK is likely to need between 20-30GW of new generating capacity by 2020. As an integrated energy company, we have a big part to play in making this happen.
To replace the shortfall in generation will require an investment programme in the region of £30-40 billion. Concentrating on a single technology or fuel – such as gas – would mean all plants of that technology could be affected by a single unfavourable market development, such as very high fuel prices.
The investment needed must also help to reduce carbon intensity and must be in a position to deliver swiftly. We see nuclear playing an important element of this transition as part of a broad mix of investment that will include looking at new opportunities in renewables, gas and coal generation.
Nuclear power is a well-established, internationally proven, low carbon technology capable of providing large scale, baseload, generating capacity in the near future. Its total lifetime carbon impact is comparable with other low carbon technologies such as wind power. This takes account of emissions associated with construction and decommissioning of nuclear plants and with mining, transportation, enrichment, fuel manufacture and spent fuel storage.
In addition, the uranium required to fuel existing and potential new stations is readily available and can be found in politically stable countries in different geographic locations to the sources of gas, coal and oil supplies.