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Press Release

Weightman nuclear report: comment from Europe's largest engineers' group

11 October 2011

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), Europe's largest engineers' body, with 150,000 members in 127 countries around the world, has commented on Weightman nuclear report, published today.

Dr Tony Whitehead, IET Director of Policy, said: “A safe and reliable electricity supply is a key factor underpinning economic development and quality of life in the UK. So it is important that the UK population continues to enjoy a safe and reliable electricity supply. This report gives confidence that the nuclear sector can continue to be a major contributor to a mixed portfolio of energy technologies that will together ensure long-term energy security in the UK.

“We welcome the Weightman report as a thorough and comprehensive piece of work that, whilst not identifying particular reservations about the UK civil nuclear power programme, does identify issues that should be included when considering future and existing nuclear plant – in particular the need to include proper consideration of events that could occur beyond the boundaries of individual plant – as was the case in Japan. We should also recognise that, in trying to learn lessons from Japan, the UK's nuclear installations, regulatory regime and seismic environment are all very different from those in Japan.

“In summary, analysis of the Fukushima Dai-ichi accident reveals no fundamental safety weaknesses in the UK's nuclear industry. We can learn from this tragic incident to ensure that any new nuclear plant in the UK will be built to exacting standards in line with the latest safety regimes.”



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