Anger As Blair Paves Way for Nuclear Power ; Security Review After Roof Protest
Posted on: Wednesday, 30 November 2005, 06:00 CST
By Pippa Crerar
TONY BLAIR yesterday unveiled plans for a new era of nuclear power after his announcement was hit by Greenpeace protesters.
The Prime Minister, who was shunted into a side room at a CBI conference in London during a 48-minute delay, said the episode was "surreal".
But it didn't stop Blair launching a wide-ranging review to plug the looming energy gap facing Britain.
Within a decade, the UK may be generating only 80 per cent of the electricity it needs.
Blair made it clear he is ready to give the green light to a new generation of nuclear power stations.
He said decades of fear and hostility must be put aside, as the decision on future energy supplies cannot be put off any longer.
The move will provoke uproar on the left of his party and a major backlash from environmental campaigners who believe the nuclear option is too dangerous and costly.
Announcing the review, Blair said: "It will include the issue of whether we facilitate the development of a new generation of power stations. Nuclear power is a difficult and challenging issue."
As North Sea oil and gas reserves diminish, Britain will go from being self-sufficient to having to import supplies.
Blair said: "The issue back on the agenda with a vengeance is energy policy.
"Around the world, you can sense feverish re-thinking.
"Energy prices have risen. Energy supply is under threat. Climate change is producing a sense of urgency.
"Some of this will be replaced by renewables but not all of it can."
Blair unveiled a major review of Britain's energy needs that will lead to a policy statement next summer - and warned of a looming energy shortage if nothing was done.
The UK's old coal and nuclear plants will be run down by about 2015 at a cost of about pounds 56billion.
That will leave a shortfall of at least 20 per cent in power supplies by 2020.
The anti-nuclear protesters got through security checks and climbed 40 feet into the roof of the conference centre, staying in the rafters for two hours.
They were later arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass and taken to a police station.
An urgent review of security was under way last night into how the pair smuggled climbing gear through X-ray scanners Stephen Tindale, 42, executive director of Greenpeace, said they had been planning the demo since news of Blair's appearance was leaked.
He said: "We wanted them to stay up there long enough for the message to get through to the Prime Minister.
"Our opposition to nuclear power is very strong."
SNP leader Alex Salmond said Scotland had vast resources for renewable energy and there was no need to take part in "Blair's nuclear gamble".
He added: "He yet again arrogantly dismisses the majority of Scots who are against new nuclear power stations
Source: Daily Record; Glasgow (UK)
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