Britain's Nuclear Dream

The Briefing Room

• Episode: Britain's Nuclear Dream
• Website: The Briefing Room
• Feed URL: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07cblx9/episodes/downloads.rss
• Duration: 00:28:29
• Published: 2016-08-04 21:30

Britain faces big decisions when it comes to generating electricity - and ones we will all end up paying for. So what's the right choice? Theresa May surprised many by one of her first acts as prime minister: delaying a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point in Somerset. She says she wants more time to consider the deal before making a final decision later this year. Hinkley Point C - if it's ever built - would be the first UK nuclear power plant to be constructed in more than 20 years. But the French-built, Chinese-funded project has been beset with delays since Tony Blair first pushed for new nuclear plants in 2005. David Aaronovitch and a panel of experts outline Britain's nuclear dream, find out what went wrong along the way, detail the alternatives and try to answer the question: what should we do next? Guests: Peter Atherton, energy analyst, Cornwall Energy Malcom Grimston visiting senior research fellow, Imperial College London Steven Thomas, professor of energy studies, Greenwich University Lisa Waters, economist, Waters Wye Associates Producers: Joe Kent and Mike Wendling Researchers: Alex Burton and Kirsteen Knight.