Wednesday 18 May 2011

Nuclear power chief welcomes safety report

Nuclear power producer EDF has welcomed the Chief Nuclear Inspector's report on the impact of Fukushima for the UK industry.

Dr Weightman is investigating the lessons to be learned from events at the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan in March this year and Energy Secretary Chris Huhne gave those initial findings to Government today.

Vincent de Rivaz, Chief Executive for EDF Energy praised the "transparent, comprehensive" report: "While these are interim findings only, they provide a clear endorsement of the safety culture and performance of the UK nuclear industry."

The French-owned company will act on the findings, pledged Mr de Rivaz: "We are not complacent. We will do whatever is required and we will implement all the recommendations that Dr Weightman has made."

EDF's plans for new nuclear reactors would be shaped by Dr Weightman's guidelines, he added: "We will of course take on board Dr Weightman's recommendations for nuclear new build. We welcome the key conclusions that there is no need to change the present siting strategies and that there is no reason to depart from plans for more than one reactor on a site."

EDF produces around a fifth of the UK's electricity from its nuclear, coal and gas power stations, as well as combined heat and power plants and wind farms.