| LONDON, June 27 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Tony Blair said on Wednesday
he had no plans to extend Britain's nuclear power capability a day after
he ordered a root-and-branch review of the country's energy needs.
"I don't actually think that an expansion of nuclear power is
on the agenda, however what is on the agenda is reviewing our energy requirements
for the future," Blair told parliament.
"In respect of the issue of nuclear power, our policy has not
changed." His Labour Party's election manifesto was more equivocal, saying
coal and nuclear energy "currently play important roles in ensuring diversity
in our sources of electricity generation.
" Energy Minister Brian Wilson, who will head the review, said on Tuesday
it would look at what role, if any, the nuclear industry should play in
future.
Speculation has been rife that the review, which will be conducted by
the Performance and Innovation Unit which reports direct to Blair, will
sanction an extension of nuclear power.
Experts say Britain will become a net importer of oil and gas in the
future. The government's investment in renewable energy sources -- solar
and wind power and the like -- is unlikely to fill the gap.
Nuclear power stations generate around 30 percent of Britain's electricity.
Renewables currently meet less than three percent of electricity demand.
11:02 06-27-01 Copyright 2001 Reuters Limited.
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