A recent independent research by Miller Research, commissioned by the Welsh Government has suggested that a brand new nuclear power station at Wylfa – could hand Welsh businesses a £5.7 billion economic boon.
The Wales Green Party believes that this is a dangerous route to venture down when there are many much cleaner safer renewable energy alternatives.
Wales Green Party Leader, Pippa Bartolotti has urged that:
“We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to say no to nuclear, a once in a lifetime opportunity to stop any more toxic waste being manufactured, and a once in a lifetime opportunity to stop yet another foreign company making money out of a poisonous energy system which should by rights be consigned to the dustbin of history.”
Bartolotti pointed out that:
“Wales can create all of the energy it needs from clean renewables, with plenty left over to gain income from exports. What are 875 jobs at Wylfa B compared to the thousands, which would be created from harnessing our own renewable energy?
Scotland already has more than 11,000 people employed in its own energy revolution. Wales could do even better.
Now is the time to stand up for the next generation and say no, we do not want to leave you with this foul waste which will contaminate your future for years to come.”
Decommissioning of the first generation of nuclear power stations at sites including Trawsfynydd in Snowdonia will take an estimated 90 years to complete. The toxic waste is difficult and dangerous to get at, and still has nowhere safe to go. Some of the decommissioning work is considered too dangerous or uneconomic to carry out.
Pippa Bartolotti concluded:
“ Wylfa B is said to create an improvement in the economy of Wales, but we can only be sure it will improve the economy of Hitachi. With electricity prices hitting ordinary people at twice the going rate, no insurance available for accidents, and decommissioning costs paid for by the taxpayer you can be sure the people of Wales will not be getting any benefit. We also have to ask ourselves why Hitachi is not building reactors in Japan.”