Published: 26 July 2006
Welsh MPs go Nuclear in Heatwave
Welsh MPs have chosen to sustain Wales' growing demand for energy through supporting a new generation of nuclear power stations in Wales instead of promoting energy efficiency.
The Welsh Affairs Committee has launched its Energy in Wales report which aims to provide a Welsh context to the UK Government's Energy Review launched recently.
Commenting on the report Morgan Parry, Head of WWF Cymru said:
"As the heatwave continues with July being the hottest in Wales since records began, today Welsh MPs avoid going to the heart of the debate and addressing energy consumption.
Instead they accept the UK Government's forecast for an increase demand in energy and support extending & replacing Wylfa nuclear power station.
It is disappointing this report fails to address the consumption of energy at a time when we are all feeling the heat as a result of rising carbon dioxide emissions, the main climate change gas.
We applaud the Assembly for its anti-nuclear stance, therefore repeating the fallacy that we are facing an enormous energy gap which only nuclear power can fill is very disappointing.
The Government's own Energy Paper released just three years ago showed that we could meet our energy needs and reduce carbon dioxide emissions through increasing and diversifying the use of renewable energy and reducing energy waste.
WWF's research demonstrates that we can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 55% without the use of nuclear power.
WWF Cymru has reservations about the strong support for the Severn Barrage and would urge the Welsh Affairs Committee to back the recommendation of the Energy Review to look beyond the Barrage and make the best use of the tidal resource throughout the UK.
WWF Cymru has lobbied against the Barrage because we do not believe that it's the most sustainable option for harnessing the tidal power of the estuary."
The Balance of power; Reducing C02 emissions from the UK power sector is a report for WWF-UK by ILEX Energy Consulting which concludes that the UK can reduce emissions from the power sector by 55% by 2025.
Further information
Energy in Wales report
The Balance of power; Reducing C02 emissions from the UK power sector
UK Government's 2006 Energy Review
Related articles
WWF Cymru's response to the Severn Barrage proposal
Wales needs positive incentives to curb energy demands
Renewable Energy Planning Guidance
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