A lesson learned from the otherwise successful UK gas-cooled reactor programmes was that excessive diversity of design prevents economies of scale during construction and is inefficient during the plant’s working life.
A Chinese reactor at Bradwell would be the fourth different new power reactor design in England. Commercial and security issues may be soluble at nominal cost. But can the UK muster sufficient indigenous expertise to master the details of the technology and design of so many types in order to become an expert customer and subsequently operate the reactors safely and economically for their expected life?
Even if the necessary expertise and industrial capacity were available it would represent a continuing cost throughout the life of the reactor and well into subsequent decommissioning. Some careful strategic thinking is needed before the government enters into an agreement with China in addition to current plans for Hinkley Point, Wylfa and Moorside.
Tim Chittenden
Workington, Cumbria
• A few more questions for George Osborne about his French/Chinese nuclear reactor (Letters, 22 September).
Why the constant references to hard-pressed bill payers when renewable energy is already cheaper and plummeting in price, and when the planned cuts to solar energy will save households no more than £1.20 a year (Report, 19 October)? Does he think “hard-pressed” people can’t afford to worry about safety?
If it’s not to save money or carbon, then what is the huge nuclear subsidy for? The civil nuclear industry is known to provide key expertise and a skills pool for the UK to remain part of the military nuclear club; Sussex University’s science policy research unit suggests that this might explain the government’s unshakeable commitment to this form of energy (Report, 7 August).
Consumers are entitled to a full accounting. Exactly what is it that we are expected to contribute to through our bills?
Ruth London
Fuel Poverty Action
• Once the UK solar panel industry has gone the way of the steel industry (Solar subsidy cut attacked as obscene, 19 October), we shall presumably be buying our panels in the future from China, much to George Osborne’s satisfaction.
Geoffrey Rider
Ripon
• Along with a lot of people, I do not hold much faith in our government, sadly. However, I hold even less faith in the governments of countries such as China. So, another nuclear power station is to be built in Suffolk. Did anybody ask local people how they felt about this and if they would be happy that its security would be in the hands of another country? How dare the government hand over things of such vital importance and concern to unknown entities.
P Ward
Saxmundham, Suffolk
• Timothy Garton Ash (If US relations with China turn sour, there will probably be war, 16 October) echoes repeated predictions that, rather than implode politically, an expansionist China is destined to lock horns in war with the US for world superpower primacy. By then China will own the commanding heights of little Britain’s economy: nuclear power generation; water and sewerage; high-speed rail. Yet the prevailing Westminster view is that it is strategically desirable to renew “our own independent” Trident nuclear deterrent – which I understand is only usable with US assent.
David Higdon
Ryton, Tyne and Wear
• Ma Jian (The howls of political prisoners, 19 October) asks whether the UK government would “have had the gall to invite President Botha on a state visit while the world was clamouring for Nelson Mandela’s release”. Mrs Thatcher had the gall, all right, and I have the “No to Botha” badge I wore to the Hyde Park protest rally of 50,000 people in June 1984 to prove it.
Susan Seager
London
• As a member of the Christian Peoples’ Alliance I disagree with many of Jeremy Corbyn’s policies. However, as regards his concern about the poor human rights record of Saudi Arabia and China we are at one. He should take the opportunity of this week’s visit of President Xi Jinping to speak out about issues such as the occupation of Tibet, the discrimination against Christians in many regions, the denial of a free press, treatment of dissidents, and failing to take serious measures to stop the import of animal body parts from endangered species.
John Wainwright
Potters Bar, Hertfordshire
• Ten years ago, when I last visited China, virtually everybody I met raised the issue of human rights. No, they didn’t want to talk about Tibet or political prisoners. They wanted to know how Britain could justify the invasion of Iraq and the abuse of human rights there.
Henry Stewart
London
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