WWF-UK: Locals for wind rather than nuclear future at Hinkley
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Locals for wind rather than nuclear future at Hinkley
Tuesday 25 October 2005
Nearly three times as many people want a wind farm rather than a new nuclear reactor to be built at Hinkley Point, a survey by WWF has found.
The survey also revealed that 78 per cent of those questioned were in favour of renewable energy, including wind, wave, tidal and solar, being generated in the UK.
The news comes as West Somerset District Council's planning committee meets today (Wednesday) to decide if Your Energy are to be given permission to develop 12 turbines near the site of the nuclear reactor.
WWF is running a climate change campaign and Sam Durham, WWF regional campaigns officer, is to give evidence at the public hearing in Cannington today.
He said: "Climate change is a global issue but to combat its effects, such as global warming and flooding, it is essential that renewable forms of energy are developed.
"This is something that people at a local level can have an influence over while at the same time doing their bit to lessen the threat of climate change.
"As the first of its kind in Somerset, the wind farm would help to meet the south-west's target for 11 to 15 per cent renewable electricity by 2010. Local residents should make their own contribution by supporting this planning application and any further opportunities to develop renewable energy in appropriate locations across the region."
The current nuclear power station, Hinkley B is set to be decommissioned by 2016 and the government is to make the decision over building a new generation of nuclear reactors next year which could pave the way for a development at Hinkley.
Hinkley is thought to be one of the favourite sites for a new reactor, largely because permission for another facility was granted in 1990. The scheme never got off the ground and permission lapsed eight years ago, but speculation has continued about future building.
Only a fifth of those polled want to see a new nuclear power station rather than a wind farm at Hinkley with just under 25 per cent unsure of whether they want either.
WWF is calling on politicians to step up action on industry, homes, energy and transport. This can be done by limiting power sector emissions of carbon dioxide, making year-on-year real increases in government investment in new forms of renewable energy and promoting energy efficiency in new and existing homes.
The news comes as West Somerset District Council's planning committee meets today (Wednesday) to decide if Your Energy are to be given permission to develop 12 turbines near the site of the nuclear reactor.
WWF is running a climate change campaign and Sam Durham, WWF regional campaigns officer, is to give evidence at the public hearing in Cannington today.
He said: "Climate change is a global issue but to combat its effects, such as global warming and flooding, it is essential that renewable forms of energy are developed.
"This is something that people at a local level can have an influence over while at the same time doing their bit to lessen the threat of climate change.
"As the first of its kind in Somerset, the wind farm would help to meet the south-west's target for 11 to 15 per cent renewable electricity by 2010. Local residents should make their own contribution by supporting this planning application and any further opportunities to develop renewable energy in appropriate locations across the region."
The current nuclear power station, Hinkley B is set to be decommissioned by 2016 and the government is to make the decision over building a new generation of nuclear reactors next year which could pave the way for a development at Hinkley.
Hinkley is thought to be one of the favourite sites for a new reactor, largely because permission for another facility was granted in 1990. The scheme never got off the ground and permission lapsed eight years ago, but speculation has continued about future building.
Only a fifth of those polled want to see a new nuclear power station rather than a wind farm at Hinkley with just under 25 per cent unsure of whether they want either.
WWF is calling on politicians to step up action on industry, homes, energy and transport. This can be done by limiting power sector emissions of carbon dioxide, making year-on-year real increases in government investment in new forms of renewable energy and promoting energy efficiency in new and existing homes.
Further information
For information about what WWF-UK is doing about the threats of climate change visit our Climate Change Campaign website
Ecotricity
Switch to green energy by visiting www.ecotricity.co.uk or calling 08000 326100. Every new account opened generates £15 for WWF. In addition, Ecotricity is creating new wildlife habitats alongside its wind parks, and every customer has their own tree planted, and maintained, just for them.