The lack of a Hunterston ‘C’ nuclear power station shows a lack of vision for the future energy strategy of our country, a union has warned.

New nuclear stations are likely at Hinkley Point, Oldbury, Wylfa, Heysham, Sellafield, Hartlepool, Sizewell and Bradwell, as unlike Scotland, they are getting on with the planning and investment issues, say the GMB union.

GMB, the union for energy workers in Scotland, is warning that Scotland runs the risk of missing out on a new generation of nuclear power stations as there are no plans to replace Hunterston B and Torness. Both are now due to be decommissioned in 2023. GMB say this is due to the Scottish Government’s lack of strategy and vision on how to meet Scotland’s energy needs.

This warning comes in the wake of the announcement that EDF, which runs Hunterston ‘B’ power station, has reached agreement to build a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point in Somerset.

Jim Moohan, GMB Scotland Senior Organiser, said “This go ahead at Hinkley Point C should serve as wake-up call on the serious risk of Scotland missing out on the next generation of new nuclear power stations.

“By contract the First Minister is hanging on to the coat tails of the UK Government on the nuclear question without giving clear indication to the Scottish people what safeguards he has in place for the long term. “The renewables factor will not sustain our energy requirements. It is time the pressure groups and politicians who continually put down the nuclear sector come clean as to how they would address our energy needs in the long term.