Study On Development Of British Nuclear Power Industry (1953—1987)

This thesis starts with the introduction of the history of British nuclear power industry in 1953-1987. By studying the interactions among markets, government and nuclear power industry, this thesis attempts to keep track of the rise, glory and decline of the British nuclear power industry. With the method of historical analysis and case study, this thesis explores the development of the British nuclear power industry, and its achievements and problems existed. In addition, this thesis analyzes the difference of nuclear power industry between Britain and France. It attempts to find the features of British nuclear power mode and explore a feasible development mode for nuclear power industry so as to provide some useful references for China in the development of nuclear power industry.Britain became a pioneer in civil nuclear power because of a combination of its scientific heritage, the government’s desire to build nuclear weapons and recurring fears over energy security. Nuclear physics served as a theoretical underpinning for nuclear energy; Nuclear weapons program provided support in technology, equipment and personnel for civil nuclear power; and energy crisis offered impetus for civil nuclear power. The British government announced to develop civil nuclear power officially in 1953, which marks the transformation of the British nuclear energy programme. It has been three nuclear programs that Britain has launched since 1955. The three programmes were the principle line and outline, also the epitome of the development of British nuclear power industry.The course of British nuclear power didn’t run smooth. As time goes on, a series of problems arose from the nuclear power industry and Britain eventually lost his leading position. Here are several reasons why British nuclear power industry was steered in the wrong direction. Firstly, pitted against by North Sea oil and waged against by coal industry, the existence of British nuclear power was challenged. Secondly, indigenous nuclear reactor became British nuclear power industry’s Waterloo. British nuclear reactor deviated from the mainstream of the world:"the greatest breakthrough" was to become the AGR disaster. AGR proved to be technical cul-de-sac. Thirdly, because of the UKAEA-CEGB-government axis of the British nuclear power industry, the autonomy of power industry in their choices was feeble. The relatively centralized decision-making mechanism means the ignorance of dissenting opinions.Although there is no precedent that Britain as the pioneer in civil nuclear power has suffered many setbacks, yet it also attained remarkable achievements. Britain not only constructed seventeen nuclear power stations at home, but also exported one nuclear power station to Italy and Japan respectively. Nuclear power industry provided gigantic amounts of electricity that substituted for massive coal and oil so as to ensure British energy security and promote the diversification of the energy consumption structure. With the development of nuclear power station, lots of employment position has been supplied for the people and the local economy gets prospered. Nuclear power has green virtues as clean energy, which really plays a great role in protecting natural environment.Based on the sorts of British nuclear power industry development course in 1953-1987, this thesis argues that there are several important factors which influence the development of the British nuclear power industry:Energy situation at home and abroad, technical factors, political factors, social participation and environment, etc. These factors make a resultant force, that jointly lead to the rise and fall of the British nuclear power industry.In the 21st century, Britain will witness a revival of the nuclear power industry. Decline in production of North Sea oil, gradual decommission of original nuclear power station and the emission reduction under the background of climate change forces Britain to reconsider the nuclear power. A series of documents Britain issued have drawn up the blueprint of the nuclear power industry. Foreign stones may serve to polish domestic jade. This research on British nuclear power industry will provide references for the development of china’s nuclear power industry and marching into British nuclear power market.