by Chris Grimshaw

On 13th February, British Energy, the operator of most of the UK's nuclear power stations announced that it was looking for partners to help it build a new generation of nuclear power stations at existing nuclear sites in the UK. Announcements from a number of companies seemed imminent. Two days later a High Court judge found that the government's public consultation over nuclear power was a sham, forcing them to promise a re-run of the consultation, which will set plans back by months.

Next month Corporate Watch will release a new report examining the British nuclear industry. In it we survey an industry that, throughout its fifty year history, has consistently failed to live up to its own predictions. The general problems associated with nuclear power are well known (and still
largely unresolved). Our report does not focus on these familiar issues but instead aims to provide an overview of
the British nuclear industry, and the construction and engineering companies that might win contracts to build new
power stations. This is essential in evaluating proposals for a new generation of reactors. Our report will be informative
for the general reader and help campaigners to devise strategies against Nu Labour's nuclear plans. The report reveals an industry with a long history of hype and disappointment. We describe the current state of plans for new build nuclear power; profile the industry and its key companies, those most likely to profit from new reactors;
outline the history of broken promises; and reveal an industry that will, most likely, be unable to deliver on its promises once again.

The industry has tremendous political clout, with many friends in government and business, but little public support. It has tremendous weaknesses, from its appalling history of incompetence and dishonesty, its proven vulnerabilities to
environmental campaigns, to its deeply unstable finances. It is an industry that can and must be rejected, in favour of a
sane and sustainable energy infrastructure.