The Moorside rector in Cumbria was expected to\u00a0deliver 7% of the UK\u2019s electricity needs from 2025.<\/p>\n
A statement from the Japanese engineering giant said: “After considering the additional costs entailed in continuing to operate NuGen, Toshiba recognises that the economically rational decision is to withdraw from the UK nuclear power plant construction project, and has resolved to take steps to wind-up NuGen.”<\/p>\n
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Korea Electric Power Corporation had been a preferred bidder to take over the nuclear power plant project.\u00a0 But after more than a year of negotiations, a deal could not be secured.<\/p>\n
The Moorside site in Cumbria remains a site designated by Government for nuclear new build, it now passes to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority as the owner of the site and the Government to determine its future.<\/p>\n
General union GMB has called for an urgent rethink and wants the government to build a small modular nuclear reactor at the site.<\/p>\n
Justin Bowden, GMB National Secretary, said: \u201cA golden opportunity exists to take control and develop a small modular nuclear reactor in a part of this country which has a groundbreaking nuclear past that can be repeated in the future.<\/p>\n
“The lessons from the collapse of Toshiba should have been well and truly learned long ago – relying on foreign companies and countries for our essential energy needs is utterly irresponsible.”<\/p>\n
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