IF more nuclear power stations are going to be built in Britain then Suffolk is a “natural place” for one of them to be located, according to a county MP.

IF more nuclear power stations are going to be built in Britain then Suffolk is a “natural place” for one of them to be located, according to a county MP.

John Gummer, Conservative MP for Suffolk Coastal, said he would be “keen” to see a third power station built at Sizewell if ministers push ahead with their plans.

He was speaking following yesterday's government White Paper on energy efficiency, in which it was made clear Whitehall want more nuclear power stations to be built.

It is believed that locations where nuclear power stations already exist would be looked at first for any potential new development, possibly paving the way for a third plant at Sizewell - Sizewell C.

Mr Gummer said: “If we are to have new nuclear power stations I'm very keen to have one at Sizewell.

“It seems to me the natural place to put it. We have had nuclear power stations well run by the local people and I would be keen to see a Sizewell C because it would be carefully regulated in an open and transparent society.”

However, Mr Gummer said he did have concerns about the Government's overall energy policy and added he felt they had not taken the necessary measures to make sure the choice was cost-effective.

The White Paper launched a five-month consultation on the “significant role” new nuclear power stations could play in cutting emissions and diversifying energy supplies.

Ministers made clear they want new nuclear power stations to be built and trade and industry secretary Alistair Darling said it was the Government's preliminary view that it was in the public interest to give private energy firms the option of investing in new nuclear building projects.

The move has sparked fears from campaigners who feel the Government should be investing more in renewable resources such as solar, tidal and wind power.

Charles Barnett, from the Shut Down Sizewell Campaign, said: “Nuclear power will not reduce CO2 emissions - although they emit very little carbon dioxide the process of mining, purifying and transporting the uranium, the manufacture of the fuel rods together with the construction of the power stations and the decommissioning will mean it will not reduce emissions.

“We really have to look at renewable sources - wave, tidal and wind - that's what we should be doing, coupled with energy efficiency and conservation. If you reduce the amount of energy used then you don't need to build new nuclear power stations.”

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