9 May 2012 

Scottish Greens are welcoming analysis suggesting new nuclear plants are not commercially viable, and are urging Scottish and UK ministers to press ahead with a renewables revolution.

It is understood French nuclear developer EDF, one two groups planning new plants in England, has in the space of a year almost doubled the cost of building a nuclear facility to seven billion pounds.

Analysis by Citi group suggests this would make nuclear the most expensive form of electricity generation and would put pressure on government to back it to the tune of billions.

While the Scottish Government is against new nuclear, it says it is happy to extend the life of existing plants in Scotland.

Patrick Harvie, Green MSP for Glasgow, said:

“Greens have always been clear that Scotland’s energy future lies in our abundance of renewable resources. We don’t need dirty and dwindling fossil fuels and we don’t need to extend the life of antiquated nuclear plants.

“Those who object to renewable forms of energy such as wind often claim it’s expensive and when pressed usually advocate nuclear as a solution. This latest analysis of costs must surely be a nail in the coffin for that argument.”