| The UK is going through a transitional period in | | | | to be achieved by making this move. These shifts |
| regards to their energy generation. Many of the | | | | in the balance of power generation will lead to |
| old nuclear power stations are coming to the end | | | | more nuclear jobs and power generation jobs |
| of their lifespan and a drive to reduce the number | | | | right across the UK. |
| of inefficient old coal power plants, nuclear energy | | | | The issue continues to be topical and looks set to |
| is firmly established as an important part of the | | | | form an important part of the run up to the 2010 |
| future energy production. | | | | General Elections, because there is much concern |
| The UK was one of the world leaders in domestic | | | | over the costs of implementing such large scale |
| nuclear power, dating back to 1956 when the first | | | | changes to the energy infrastructure, but equally |
| nuclear power station was put into operation. At | | | | there are concerns that by not doing so will leave |
| present, the number of nuclear power stations in | | | | the UK facing an energy crisis. In his speech at |
| the UK stands at 18, as some stations have | | | | the 2009 Labour Annual Conference in Brighton on |
| already begun to close. Back in 1997, nuclear | | | | the 27/09/09, the Energy Secretary Ed Miliband |
| stations generated approximately 26% of the | | | | said the UK government must be the leaders in |
| total electricity output in the UK. Currently nuclear | | | | the way of reform to help create "a more |
| energy accounts for about 15% of electricity | | | | prosperous, fairer and greener Britain". He |
| production, with a wider reliance on gas and coal | | | | envisaged this being done by investing in green |
| powered stations. The goal of the Department of | | | | manufacturing and being prepared to foot the high |
| Energy is to increase this output to over a third | | | | costs involved in moving towards a low-carbon |
| by 2030. | | | | economy. This is quite a departure from energy |
| In the spring of 2009, the UK government | | | | polices of old, with an increasing reliance on being |
| announced the "Low Carbon Transition Plan" which | | | | up front about the increased costs, with a view |
| aims to ensure that, by 2020, 40% of electricity | | | | to increased long term economic and |
| will be produced by low-carbon sources. This | | | | environmental benefits. |
| ambitious proportion would be made up from | | | | Whatever the outcome of the next election, |
| 30% renewable energy sources such as wind | | | | there are sure to be a number of new large scale |
| power, and the remainder from nuclear and the | | | | energy projects throughout the country which |
| so called "clean coal" power stations. The result of | | | | can only be good news for technical recruitment |
| this would be around 50% of the annual emission | | | | with nuclear energy jobs sure to become a skill |
| cuts required between now and 2020 expected | | | | that is further in demand. |