MacKay urges government to power up nuclear ambitions

The government's controversial plans for a "nuclear renaissance" should be significantly expanded, according to the Department of Energy and Climate Change's (DECC) recently appointed chief scientist.

Speaking at an event in Cambridge last week, Professor David MacKay signalled his support for the government's proposals for a new fleet of nuclear reactors, but warned that they did not go far enough if the government was serious about delivering deep cuts in carbon emissions.

According to report in The Sunday Times, MacKay risked the wrath of many in the renewable energy industry, arguing that nuclear will need to play a central role if the UK is to cut emissions while delivering a threefold increase in electricity supplies by 2050. This will be needed to meet increased demand from electric vehicles and other new technologies.

"Britain could never live on its own renewables," he said. "If the aim is to get off fossil fuels, we need nuclear power or solar power generated in other countries' deserts, or both."

He proposed a fourfold increase in the UK's nuclear capacity, with four new reactors built at the site of existing nuclear power plants, delivering between 40GW and 50GW of power by 2050.

The proposals are significantly more ambitious than the government's plans for a "nuclear renaissance", which is currently limited to plans for 12GW of new capacity being added over the next 10 to 15 years, effectively replacing those existing reactors that are due to be retired.

MacKay stressed that he was not pro-nuclear, arguing that "whatever energy sources we choose, the sums have to add up".

In an early sign that his appointment is likely to be characterised by innovative, yet controversial recommendations, MacKay also downplayed the extent to which carbon capture and storage technologies should be regarded as a means of curbing emissions. He suggested that the government ban gas boilers as the most effective means to driving demand for heat pumps.