So what happened?

**joxville** · 29-Nov-09, 18:27

The advent of nuclear power, and specifically Dounreay, back in the 50's was supposed to herald a new age of cheap or free electricity for all, yet here we are in the 21st Century paying through the nose for our electric. So what happened then? Was it over-optimism by Government and scientists or were other factors involved.

This thread isn't about the pros and cons of nuclear versus coal versus gas versus wind turbines so please don't turn it into an argument. I just want to know why we never got what was envisaged.

**oldchemist** · 29-Nov-09, 18:37

I think there probably was a lot of over-optimism. Although I don't go back that far I suspect there was a desire in the post-war period to try to raise peoples' spirits. Dounreay turned out to be successful technically and scientifically but the government in the 1980s lacked the motivation and the balls to go ahead with fast reactors. I wonder what decision would have been made if the climate change issue had reared its head thirty years ago?

**Bazeye** · 29-Nov-09, 19:37

Originally Posted by oldchemist

I think there probably was a lot of over-optimism. Although I don't go back that far I suspect there was a desire in the post-war period to try to raise peoples' spirits. Dounreay turned out to be successful technically and scientifically but the government in the 1980s lacked the motivation and the balls to go ahead with fast reactors. I wonder what decision would have been made if the climate change issue had reared its head thirty years ago?

Either that or Governments tell lies.

**tonkatojo** · 29-Nov-09, 19:53

Nah, the conservative's conned us into thinking so, but all they want power for is so they can,get businesses money money money, unfortunately new labour have succumbed to that philosophy too.

Why do you think that woman privatised all the utilities ??