Research and Markets: United Kingdom Power Report Q1 2012 - Slow But Steady Rise in Net Generation

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/c698e5/united_kingdom_pow) has announced the addition of the "United Kingdom Power Report Q1 2012" report to their offering.

BMI View: In Britain, the power clock is ticking. Key decisions must be reached and new policies implemented. Nuclear is to be a key plank of electricity supply strategy, but is not backed by public support. Investment in renewables has been rising fast, with wind power the chosen option. Proposed changes to planning rules may help accelerate the onshore wind turbine trend, while offshore schemes are making good progress.

Shifting subsidies for solar installations may slow the rate of expansion. The UK has pledged to derive 15% of its energy from renewable sources by the end of the decade and reduce carbon-dioxide emissions by 80% from 1990 levels by 2050. Achieving this will require as much as 40GW of low-carbon energy projects, according to a December 2010 report from the Committee on Climate Change.

Key trends and recent developments in the British electricity market include: Britain's nuclear regulator in December 2011 issued interim design approval for Areva and EdF Energy's European Pressurised Water Reactor (EPR) and Westinghouse's AP1000 nuclear reactor, paving the way for UK plant developers to use them in new power stations. Both companies have additional technicalities to clarify but the regulator said it was satisfied they would resolve remaining issues to gain a full licence, which is needed to start construction.

During the 2011-2021 period, the UK's overall power generation is expected to increase by an annual average of 0.94%, reaching 399.7TWh. Driving this growth is an annual 1.36% gain in gas-fired and a 1.05% rise in nuclear generation, accompanied by an annual increase in excess of 7.82% for renewables-based electricity supply.

Read more inside United Kingdom Power Report Q1 2012

Companies Mentioned:

• EDF Energy

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/c698e5/united_kingdom_pow