|
Dounreay's dome has become a familiar landmark |
1966: New nuclear reactor for Dounreay
|
Artificially 1969:
The A nuclear reactor described as "the system of the next century" is to be built at the Dounreay power station on the north coast of Scotland.
Minister for Technology Frank Cousins made the announcement in parliament today.
Dounreay has been awarded the ?0m Prototype Fast Reactor (PFR) in the face of competition from the Winfrith nuclear power station in Dorset.
Dounreay's remote location in Caithness, Scotland's most northerly county, was an important factor when construction of the nuclear power station began in 1955.
Its remoteness is believed to be one of the reasons why the PFR will be built there.
But Mr Cousins said the government had also taken into consideration the fact that Dounreay already had many of the required skilled staff and the necessary facilities.
At a press conference, Mr Cousins said there had been a change in attitude towards nuclear power and many local authorities had wanted the PFR built in their area.
Mr Cousins said the new reactors were "the future".
"They will be able to produce new nuclear fuel in the course of their operation and offer a prospect of even greater economy, as well as conservation in the use of uranium," Mr Cousins explained.
Scientists say the technology used by the PFR is the most economical way to produce electrical power.
Current nuclear reactors can extract only 2% of the energy available in nuclear fuel compared with up to 10% for the new reactors.
The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) will build and operate the prototype reactor.
UKAEA chairman Sir William Penney said it was hoped to have commercial power stations in operation by 1978.
But they would have a "real tough time" meeting that target, Sir William added, and it not come to fruition until a couple of years later.
Dounreay was the world's first electricity-producing "fast" reactor - the reactor itself being enclosed in a distinctive dome.
The new reactor will benefit the local economy in Caithness with 700 construction jobs to be filled.
|