Nuclear Power Stations

HC Deb 13 July 2001 vol 371 c677W

Mr. Paul Marsden

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on phasing out nuclear power stations. [2788]

Mr. Wilson

As with other electricity generation options, decisions on station lifetimes are a commercial matter for the generating companies subject to the necessary authorisation by NII. It is expected that existing nuclear stations will continue to contribute to the country's energy requirements and to the reduction of CO₂ emissions for as long as the companies consider it economic for them to do so and provided they meet the high safety and environmental standards required.