The best option for constructing new nuclear power plants in the UK is on existing civilian nuclear sites, although around 60 coal or gas-fired power plant sites could also be considered, a report has recommended.

The report, prepared for the government by Jackson Consulting and published on 23 May 2007, says there are 14 existing sites owned by British Energy (BE) and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) where new units could by constructed.

There are five other existing civil nuclear licensed sites under NDA ownership that could be an option for new-build. They are: Dounreay, Springfields, Capenhurst, Harwell and Winfrith.

Of the 14 existing sites for possible new-build, the report concludes Hinkley Point and Sizewell are the best. Both sites are available now and have no major barriers to reactor development. Bradwell is also available for development, but a possible barrier is limited availability of cooling water, particularly for a twin-reactor plant.

The report says Dungeness is also feasible, but a twin-reactor plant would need planning consent for an additional transmission line towards London.

According to the Jackson report, ease of connection to the national grid is the main factor in determining a site’s suitability.

While most existing reactors are on the coast, the report says it would be possible to build new ones inland. But these, it says, would need vast cooling towers.

The UK government announced yesterday it had reached "a preliminary view"

that it would be in the public interest to allow energy companies to invest in nuclear power. But the government said it would consult further, in a process which will run until October, before making the final decision.