Horizon completes transition to Hitachi

So it's a done deal. Horizon, its assets and its staff have now been acquired by Hitachi as a going concern.

The good news is that the current preference for hybrid cooling towers is likely to remain unchanged.

The bad news is that development at Oldbury will follow development of the lead site at Wylfa on Anglesey. This means that Hitachi's local multibillion pound investment, with a peak of around 6,000 construction jobs and around 1000 during the operation of the station, is unlikely to materialize until mid 2020s. So plenty of time for local pressure groups to dream up even more reasons why not.

Severn barrage decision pressing

I see that Hafren Power is concerned that the Severn Barrage will be sidelined unless a final decision is made within the next three years (BBC News). Given the tendency of Liberal Democrats to procrastinate over decisions on infrastructure, it looks increasingly unlikely that the coalition will take such a decision. Given that decisions are also required on other major infrastructure projects, e.g. airport capacity, perhaps the time has come for the Conservatives to govern as a minority party relying on the 'national interest' to carry the day? At least that would send out a very clear message to the electotrate about which parties are genuinely committed to a prosperous future for the UK.

Blinkered politicians will not see it of course but what a fantastic boost to the prospects for nuclear investment at Oldbury. Why do I say that? Because the reviled cooling towers would be unnecessary so long as cooling could rely on the water contained by the barrage! Oh yes and it would be cheaper to build reactors at Oldbury because the cost of the cooling towers could be saved.