Power debate asks is small beautiful?

Britain is at a crossroads as it decides how to supply its future electricity needs — upgrade the ageing “big power” National Grid or scrap it in favour of decentralised systems such as combined heat and power (CHP).

Both involve heavy costs — replacing ageing nuclear and coal power plants is expected to cost at least 50 billion pounds and both will leave a legacy for generations.

It is a battle watched closely by the rest of the world as it tries to combat global warming — blamed in large part on the burning of fossil fuels — without jeopardising economic growth.

Reuters