[Daily Telegraph, Reuters; 18 November] UK energy minister Mike O'Brien has warned that electricity generating costs will increase without a new nuclear power programme in the country. He told a conference in London, "Nuclear must be an important part of an affordable climate change policy for the UK. Not having nuclear in the mix could threaten our economy, our climate and indeed our very way of life." He added, "Nuclear is a crucial part of an affordable climate change policy. Without it, achieving the stringent target we have set ourselves for the future would undoubtedly be more costly, potentially increasing the cost of electricity by up to 40% compared to now." He welcomed Electricité de France's (EdF's) plan to construct four new nuclear power plants in the UK by 2025, but said more were required to replace the country's ageing fleet of reactors. "We want other types of nuclear power plants in Britain too. We need other companies to come forward. We do need to replace the energy we get now from nuclear with new nuclear." While acknowledging that the takeover of British Energy (BE) by EdF would put the French in control of the industry, he said, "We can learn from the French."
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