RPT-UPDATE 4-Britain starts new push for nuclear power

(Repeats to widen distribution)

By Pete Harrison

LONDON, Jan 10 (Reuters) - Britain gave the go-ahead to a new generation of nuclear power stations on Thursday, setting no limits on nuclear expansion and adding momentum to atomic energy's worldwide renaissance.

The ruling Labour government considered nuclear power unattractive as recently as 2003 but now says it will help Britain meet its climate change goals and avoid overdependence on imported energy amid dwindling North Sea supplies.

Nuclear power stations provide about 18 percent of Britain's electricity now, but many are nearing the end of their lives.

Energy Secretary John Hutton said the evidence in support of new nuclear stations was compelling and he would not set a limit on the construction of new plants.

"I therefore invite energy companies to bring forward plans to build and operate new nuclear power stations," he told parliament.

Nuclear operators welcomed the move and announced plans for at least four new reactors. British Energy (BGY.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), which already runs eight UK reactors, said it was "positioned to move quite rapidly" to get plants running by late 2017.

Environmental group Greenpeace, which succeeded in blocking an earlier pro-nuclear decision, said the public had been misled during recent consultations and its lawyers were already considering a fresh challenge.