British Energy said today it is inviting proposals from potential partners to build new power stations after the government backed nuclear power as a possible cleaner alternative to fossil fuels.
The move came as the nuclear energy group doubled profits, despite its recent prolonged boiler issues.
Pre-tax profits jumped to £622m for the nine months to the end of December from £314m a year earlier. Revenues climbed to £2.1bn from £1.7bn.
Output, however, was lower than in the year-ago period mainly because of losses incurred in connection with boiler issues at the Hinkley Point and Hunterston power stations and repairs to cracked pipes at Hartlepool.
Britain's biggest energy producer expects to complete the repair work by the end of March.
Bill Coley, British Energy's chief executive, said: "We have today launched a process to invite potential partners for new nuclear generation projects in the UK.
"Construction of new nuclear power stations is crucial to meeting the UK's security of supply and climate change objectives."
The government said last summer that it believes nuclear power "has a role to play" in future electricity generation, partly because it produces less carbon than fossil fuels and would help meet targets to reduce greenhouse gases.
Following consultation, the government is expected to confirm its policy on new nuclear power stations in a White Paper due to be published in the spring.
Shares were down 2.25p to 421.75p in morning trading.
The move came as the nuclear energy group doubled profits, despite its recent prolonged boiler issues.
Pre-tax profits jumped to £622m for the nine months to the end of December from £314m a year earlier. Revenues climbed to £2.1bn from £1.7bn.
Output, however, was lower than in the year-ago period mainly because of losses incurred in connection with boiler issues at the Hinkley Point and Hunterston power stations and repairs to cracked pipes at Hartlepool.
Britain's biggest energy producer expects to complete the repair work by the end of March.
Bill Coley, British Energy's chief executive, said: "We have today launched a process to invite potential partners for new nuclear generation projects in the UK.
"Construction of new nuclear power stations is crucial to meeting the UK's security of supply and climate change objectives."
The government said last summer that it believes nuclear power "has a role to play" in future electricity generation, partly because it produces less carbon than fossil fuels and would help meet targets to reduce greenhouse gases.
Following consultation, the government is expected to confirm its policy on new nuclear power stations in a White Paper due to be published in the spring.
Shares were down 2.25p to 421.75p in morning trading.
Source: The Guardian
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