Hansard

Nuclear Electric Plc

Volume 198: debated on Tuesday 12 November 1991

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Mr. Mans

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement about the objectives he has set for Nuclear Electric plc.

Mr. Wakeham

Yes. The Government wish to preserve the nuclear option in order to maintain adequate diversity and security of electricity supply and obtain the benefits of this environmentally clean source of energy.To secure the future of the nuclear option the company must demonstrate to the public that nuclear power is safe, clean and economic and that it should continue to have a major role in electricity supply in the longer term. I have therefore set the following objectives for Nuclear Electric plc:

  • (i) to increase profit and reduce total and unit costs;
  • (ii) to achieve a continued increase in electricity generation, provided that this is economically justified;
  • (iii) to achieve a progressive reduction in the company's dependence on the levy;
  • (iv) to complete Sizewell B to time and cost;
  • (v) to achieve a reduction in the costs of re-processing, de-commissioning and waste disposal and greater certainty about these costs;

    • All these objectives should be achieved whilst maintaining the company's excellent safety record.