European insurance law changes threaten nuclear build

UNITED KINGDOM - The nuclear industry is in talks with the government to thrash out a solution to insurance problems that threaten to undermine plans to build at least eight new power stations by 2023.

The legal arm of the Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) is working with the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform to deal with changes to the law due next year that will increase nuclear power operators’ liability from about £140m to £500m.

A European protocol means the UK government must also extend the range of claims to such events as the effect on property prices of a nuclear accident.

Lawyers have warned that insurers are not prepared to underwrite the risk, and EU laws that stop governments giving financial aid to industries restrict the role the state can play.

David Gollancz, partner at law firm Field Fisher Waterhouse, is part of the NIA’s legal group. He said: “The current thinking is maybe the government can set up a quasi-insurance scheme to see new build get started.”

The insurance problems have coincided with the collapse of the sale of British Energy to French electricity firm EDF this week. The sale was seen as crucial to the governmentÂ’s plans as British Energy controls the likely sites of the new reactors.

Bill Harris, head of nuclear work at Turner & Townsend, called on the government to restore confidence after the collapse of the deal.

He said: “It needs to reassure the industry that it is still committed to the nuclear renaissance programme.”

Related News

US Government Condemns Russia for Power Grid Hacking

WASHINGTON - Russia is attacking the U.S. energy grid, nuclear facilities, water processing plants, aviation systems, and other critical infrastructure that millions of Americans rely on, according to a new joint analysis by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security.

In an unprecedented alert, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and FBI have warned of persistent attacks by Russian government hackers on critical US government sectors, including energy, nuclear, commercial facilities, water, aviation and manufacturing.

The alert details numerous attempts extending back to March 2016 when Russian cyber operatives targeted US government and infrastructure.

The DHS and FBI said: “DHS and…

READ MORE
alberta-faces-challenges-with-solar-energy

Alberta Faces Challenges with Solar Energy Expansion

READ MORE

netherlands-outpaces-canada-in-solar-power-generation

The Netherlands Outpaces Canada in Solar Power Generation

READ MORE

Kakrapar nuclear plant

India’s Kakrapur 3 achieves criticality

READ MORE

canada solar future

'That can keep you up at night': Lessons for Canada from Europe's power crisis

READ MORE