News & Insights

20.12.19

Special Christmas Lecture: Golden Egg or Poisoned Chalice? The Story of Nuclear Power in the UK

Special Christmas Lecture: Golden Egg or Poisoned Chalice? The Story of Nuclear Power in the UK (based on the recently published book) Presented by: Tony Wooldridge & Stephen Druce

On 9th December, Stephen Druce gave a public lecture organised by Central England Branch of the Nuclear Institute at Ridgeway House on the Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire.

 The talk outlined that the UK has often ploughed its own furrow in the development of nuclear power; initially choosing indigenous reactor designs rather than following international trends but now willing to consider any reactor design which can satisfy the legislative requirements. This book and lecture unravel the factors which have influenced the critical policy decisions and led to the erratic development of nuclear power. The story is fascinating: secrecy in the early years, unbalanced institutional and commercial influences on Government, powerful personalities, national pride, short-sighted political considerations and external events have all played a part.

Picture above right: Dr Mehdi Askarieh, Chairman of NI CEB (left) thanking Stephen Druce (right) co-author of Golden Egg or Poisoned Chalice? The Store of Nuclear Power in the UK.