According to The Observer, Dr Joseph Reger, chief technology officer at Fujitsu Siemens Computers has warned that if half of British homes buy a plasma-screen TV, two nuclear power stations would have to be built to meet the extra energy demand.

Yes, you heard that right - plasma sets can use up to four times as much electricity as the old-style cathode-ray tube models. And when combined with set-top boxes, digital video recorders, DVD players and home PCs, the digital home is seen by environmental campaigners as a growing contributor to the energy crisis.

Reger remains optimistic, believing that plasma screens will be overtaken by more energy-efficient technologies. ‘I think it will be a general requirement because people increasingly have an environmental conscience,’ he said. ‘Equipment with a sticker that says, “Extreme low standby” will be a selling point.

Via Treehugger, via Hugg, via HD Beat.

Photo credit: TEMA.