Articles by
Dave Toke
The notion that nuclear is cheaper somewhere else is a myth
By
Dave Toke
The belief that somehow nuclear power will be cheaper if somehow it is done differently here has been stoked by a recent IEA Report which says that British nuclear power, in the shape of the proposed contract for Hinkley C, is the most expensive in the world.
Great Britain: So which countries will take care of the likely ruinous debts for Hinkley C?
By
Dave Toke
As widespread incredulity spreads about the UK Government's insistence that the plan to build Hinkley C nuclear power station is still on track, we must wonder which country and which companies will take the hit in the event of the near certain financial catastrophe that will befall the project.
Pressure grows for blank cheque for nuclear power in Britain
By
Dave Toke
The IPPR favour developing nuclear power as a publicly owned development, on the same basis as projects like HS2. There would be a 'cost plus' contract given to the nuclear power developers, who could, and no doubt would, be able to waste taxpayers money on a grand scale without any risk to their own profit margins.
Nuclear power is more expensive than both onshore AND offshore wind power
By
Dave Toke
Using the Government's own contract prices for nuclear power and wind power we can demonstrate how nuclear power is more expensive than both onshore wind AND offshore wind.
Faults found in EPR rector core threaten projects in France, China and the UK
By
Dave Toke
As if things were not bad enough for the prospect of completing constructions of the ailing European Pressurised Reactor (EPR) design, things have now gotten worse with the discovery of a serious flaw in the reactor design.
EDF abandons Hinkley C project after Chinese demands cannot be met
By
Dave Toke
The Chinese nuclear interests, who are needed to provide a large part of the equity investment in the project, are demanding that the French Government agrees to carry the can and pay for cost overruns on the project.
Toke Calls for 150% Renewable Electricity in Scotland
By
Dave Toke
So don't we need some new, more radical targets for Scotland? 150 per cent by 2025 would seem moderate (perhaps even puny) in this scenario. Actually Scotland is making rapid progress towards its current 2020 target of 100 per cent of electricity demand from renewables by 2020. 150 per cent by 2025 is certainly plausible, and with onshore and offshore renewable energy prices falling, quite cheap.
British minister claims there is ‘no delay’ in Hinkley C construction
By
Dave Toke
This view once again highlights the gap between government policy and reality. EDF are certainly not going to go ahead without at least a guarantee of compensation from the UK Government in the event of an adverse judgement from the EU Court of Justice judgement (final judgement taking maybe 2 years).
So why is renewable energy so much more expensive in the UK compared to other countries?
By
Dave Toke
So, in short, the new CfD system replicates the existing ability of the electricity majors to siphon off up to 30 per cent of the incomes supposedly paid by electricity consumers for renewable energy.
New study highlights enthusiasm of British farmers for renewable energy
By
Dave Toke
'Forum For the Future', in collaboration with Nottingham Trent University, blow away the alleged conservatism of British farmers by indicating how large quantities of British electricity supply (much larger than that provided by Hinkley C) could be installed by 2020 - And integrated with existing levels of food production and increased biodiversity protection.
Government implies it may not sign Hinkley C deal before General Election
By
Dave Toke
The Government has refused to confirm that it it will sign a contract with EDF allowing Hinkley C to be built before April 2015, which is only a few weeks before the General Election.
The real secret letter from the Treasury about disastrous Hinkley C is revealed
By
Dave Toke
Hot on the heels of news of further escalations of delays (and thus) costs for EPRs being built in Finland and France there is news that the Treasury is conducting a 'secret' review of the EPR project that is scheduled to be built at Hinkley C.
