Nuclear is a green option

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Wednesday, 28 February 2007

Addressing the 2006 Energy Choices conference Dr Patrick Moore, co-founder of Greenpeace, explained   why environmentalists should recognise nuclear's clear role in helping to combat climate change. In a lively debate chaired by meteorologist and weather presenter Clare Nasir, he put the case for nuclear power while signalling a warning on the growing 'fear' of climate change disaster. Alongside geo-thermal technology, hydro and other renewables Dr Moore argued that nuclear has a part to play in combating climate change while providing security of supply and that environmentalists should back this. Both Daniel Grosvenor from Deloitte and Professor Keith Palmer, Rothschilds, followed up Dr Moore's talk by looking at the cost of new nuclear build. The competitiveness of new nuclear build against both fossil fuels and renewables, and the need for certainty within planning, licensing and carbon pricing stood out throughout both speeches. The Global nuclear industry is ready to deliver in the UK according to speakers from Areva, Westinghouse and AECL. Vincent Maurel stated that Areva would be ready to apply for pre-licensing for the EPR design in the UK in early 2007. The UK will benefit he said, from the lessons learnt on the Olkiluoto 3 construction. With the Westinghouse AP1000 design already certified in the US the global nuclear renaissance is on, according to David Powell. The AP1000 and the experience of both Westinghouse and Toshiba technology, is ready to go in the UK market. Dr David Torgerson of AECL said this was also the case for the Advanced Candu Reactor. Enhancing the safety systems of the Candu 6, reducing the cost of new build and using local supply chains will all bring benefits to any UK new nuclear build programme. The Government was committed to seeing the Energy Review through and will produce a White Paper to move its delivery forward, the new Energy Minister Lord Truscott, told afternoon session of the conference which was chaired by former BBC news presenter Anna Ford. Lord Truscott's speech set the scene for the following debate on the way forward for new nuclear build (or not) between Tony Juniper of Friends of the Earth, Paul Golby of E.ON and Paul Spence of British Energy. The discussion was particularly animated with Tony Juniper putting a strong counterpoint to the arguments in favour of new nuclear power stations. Other speakers however strongly refuted his claims pointing out that solutions to our security of supply and carbon dioxide emissions can only lie in a balanced energy mix, which must include nuclear.

 

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