November 2005

Is Nuclear Power The Key To Energy Shortages?

Tony Blair believes nuclear power is the key to tackling the UK energy crisis.

The standpoint that nuclear power is the nearest thing we have to a non-polluting energy source, apart from natural renewables is one of many in a controversial subject, but is apparently shared by Prime Minister Tony Blair. He believes that nuclear power is the key to solving the UK's impending energy crisis.

This marks a U-turn for the government, who less than two years ago published a white-paper extolling the virtues of renewable energy and calling nuclear power "an unattractive option".

The UK is currently importing liquefied gas for the first time in its history, due to depleting North Sea reserves, of which production that is set to fall by 50% in the next ten years. This isn't just a problem for Great Britain, with some parties blaming the USA's disproportionate oil usage, which equates to each citizen consuming his or her own bodyweight in oil each week, as factor in contributing to a global energy crisis.

The New Stations

After first promising a decision on new stations by the end of this Parliament, then by the end of next year, Mr Blair will face down critics and set up a government review before the end of the year, asking it to reach conclusions by the early summer.

Britain's existing 12 nuclear power stations provide approximately 22% of the nation's energy. If these are not replaced, there will only be three remaining by 2020.

The new stations will be built on these existing sites, which have been steadily shutting down since the 1980s, as accidents, spiraling decommissioning costs and the unsolved problem of nuclear waste have eroded political and public enthusiasm. Mr Blair hopes the installation of new reactors will kerb public opposition and allow for swifter planning and building procedures.

Nuclear As A Renewable Energy Source

In a House of Lords debate in October, Lord Sainsbury declared that nuclear power is "clearly" a renewable energy source.

The reclassification of nuclear power as a renewable energy source has severe implications. Nuclear generators, like wind turbines, would be made exempt from the Climate Change Levy Agreement (CCLA). It would also force a re-think of the renewables obligation, which requires power companies to generate 10% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2010.

What Are The Alternatives?

The government's previous heavy backing of renewable wind energy has provoked its rise to the fastest growing energy within the UK. It has previously been seen as the key to reaching the target of 20% renewable energy sources by 2020. However wind energy is not without opposition, with noise pollution and high cost being its major downfalls.

Hydroelectric power currently provides less than two percent of the nation's electricity, however most of the UK's hydroelectric potential has already been exploited, and large scale increases look unlikely.

Research into bio-fuel technology have lead to a relative increase in its use, however the space and cost issues of development have held its mass adoption back.

The current UK fuel mix stands at: Gas (40%), Coal (33%), Nuclear (22%), Other (5%).

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