Archived press release

50th anniversary of Windscale fire and end of nuclear consultation

10 October 2007

The Government must invest in safe, clean renewable energy, rather than a new generation of nuclear power stations, Friends of the Earth said today. Today (Weds 10 Oct) is the 50^th anniversary of the fire at the Windscale nuclear reactor [1] in Cumbria AND the final day of the UK Government's nuclear consultation on whether the UK should build another programme of nuclear power stations which would operate for the next 50 years.

Last month Friends of the Earth, along with several major environmental groups, withdrew from the Government's public nuclear consultation exercise saying it was a sham. The groups wanted to bring its failings to public attention. They claimed it was rushed and set out to elicit pro-nuclear responses from the public, rather than pose clear nuclear and non-nuclear energy options for comparison and informed debate [2].

Friends of the Earth director, Tony Juniper said:

“Despite 50 years of development, nuclear power accounts for just four per cent our energy needs. Meanwhile it produces highly dangerous radioactive waste which will remain a threat for generations to come. It also provokes major international tensions and continues to divert political attention and financial resources in the wrong direction. Nuclear power will never be a major or cheap solution to climate change as claimed by it supporters. Its time to invest instead in clean and safe alternatives that could underpin a genuinely sustainable energy future.”

“Half a century ago the seriousness of the reactor fire at Windscale was kept from the British public. Now, the Government's latest nuclear consultation bears the same hallmarks of distorted facts and misinformation. Gordon Brown says he wants an 'involved, engaged and consulted' electorate and an informed democracy. This nuclear consultation contradicts and undermines that vision.”

Notes

1. Windscale was the worst nuclear accident the West has ever seen.

2. Nuclear power generates about 4% (80 TWh/year) of UK 'final' energy consumption (2,050 TWh/year) in the UK, and 3% of global energy.

The 'final' energy consumption figure is the energy actually consumed by the public after thermal losses in power stations and at refineries. It provides an accurate indication of the useful power contributions made by the range of power sources be they fossil, nuclear or renewables.

In the UK almost exactly 30% (850 TWh/year) of 'primary energy supply' (PES) to the UK was wasted in conversion losses. So final energy consumption is currently about 70% of primary supply (UK PES was 2,870 TWh/year in 2005).Note the distinction between the terms 'electricity' and 'energy' - electricity comprises about 20% of overall energy use.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust