Build 1,000 new nuclear plants, says Brown

London - Prime Minister Gordon Brown wants Britain to play a major role in the race to build an extra 1,000 nuclear power stations across the world as part of his vision for ending the global 'addiction to oil'.

The Prime Minister, who will fly to Saudi Arabia for an emergency oil summit this week, said that in spite of the risks of terrorism, Africa could build nuclear power plants to meet energy demands, London's Independent newspaper reported.

He said he would set out proposals soon on how the government could increase renewable energy in Britain by 700 per cent. This would be from sources such as wind farms, wave power, biomass and solar energy.

The projection estimate of 1,000 nuclear power stations was based on research done by the International Energy Authority, and would see about 30 reactors open every year for the next 30 to 40 years, he said.

The new generation of nuclear reactors would add to the 400 around the globe at present, Scotsman reported.

According to The Independent, not since Margaret Thatcher returned from a visit to the French nuclear plants has a prime minister shown such enthusiasm for nuclear power.

Mr Brown attributed his decision to the surging oil prices, which raised fears about energy security and left nuclear energy looking less prohibitively expensive than in the past.

Meanwhile, the United State's nuclear energy industry, all but stagnant for three decades, is quietly building towards a resurgence with more than two dozen new reactors on the drawing board.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has applications for 15 new reactors in eight states. Later this year, plants in seven other states plan to seek permits for a dozen more reactors.

The first could be built and start operating by 2016.

While 104 commercial nuclear reactors are operating in the US, the NRC has not approved a licence for building a new reactor since 1978.

The nuclear revival is far from a done deal, however. Companies still must arrange financing, and will need federal loan guarantees and states' approval to hike rates to pay for construction if those loans are to be affordable.

The current push is driven by soaring demand for electricity nationwide - about 25 per cent more electric-generating capacity will be needed by 2030, according to industry experts. And utility firms say environmental and regulatory hurdles have stalled efforts to build more coal-fired plants.