BNFL warned the government that without nuclear power the UK will not be able to ensure a secure and environmentally friendly energy supply.
Speaking at the World Nuclear Association Conference in September, BNFL chief executive Norman Askew said: "Nuclear energy must continue to play a significant role in the UK's baseload electricity generation.

"Without nuclear's contribution, this country cannot have a continued secure, diverse and environmentally friendly energy supply."

In its submission to the Performance & Innovation Unit's Energy Policy Review, BNFL called for a policy change to halt the decline of nuclear power.

It proposes modifying climate change mechanisms to recognise that nuclear generation emits virtually no greenhouse gases.

Under the present energy policy, nuclear generating capacity will fall from 23% to 5% by 2020.

BNFL claims that unless this is built up over the next two decades, the UK will become dependent on imported gas (up to 80% of supply) to meet the increasing electricity demand.