Don't make renewables second best, says Fiona Hall MEP

4.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 24th Sep 2008

Commenting on today's news that French energy firm EDF will buy British Energy, in a £12.5 billion deal, Fiona Hall MEP for the North East and Lib Dem Energy spokesperson in the European Parliament said,

"Going nuclear is not the answer to our energy needs. Nuclear energy is inflexible and unsustainable, and is still plagued by uncertainty, for example over how to dispose of tonnes of waste which remains radioactive for thousands of years.

"In supporting the sale between EDF and British Energy - which would take forward the nuclear industry's plans for a new generation of 8 nuclear power plants - the Government must remember that they can not put all their eggs in the nuclear basket if we are to meet our energy commitments in the coming years.

"We should instead be focusing on reaching our EU commitments of 20% of energy from renewable sources by 2020 and beyond. Experts say we have only eight years to prevent chaotic climate change. Even on EDF's most optimistic estimates, no nuclear power station would come on stream by that deadline. EDF's plans are therefore irrelevant.

"Investment would be much better directed towards renewables and energy efficiency, where the North East is well positioned to be the lead region in the UK."