This year’s World Nuclear Industry Status
Report is released today and reveals that the
growth in global nuclear electricity output of just 1% is
massively overshadowed by growth in solar (+35 percent) and wind
(+17 percent). The report also highlights an ongoing decline in
new nuclear power plants and the aging of existing plants, where
the mean age is now 30 years. The report concludes that nuclear
is unlikely to have a place in the energy transition which is
needed to tackle climate change.
The Green group in the European Parliament
helped fund the report. Green MEP, Molly Scott Cato, said of this
year’s report:
“It’s clear that the smart
money is in renewables. Nuclear has no place in the transition
needed to tackle dangerous climate change. Solar energy and wind
power are eclipsing nuclear and leaving it
behind.”
Dr Scott Cato, a fierce critic of the Hinkley C
project in Somerset, went on to say:
“This report confirms that Hinkley is
a hugely wasteful white elephant. It is not too late
to ditch the project,
especially as it continues to be plagued by delays and cost
over-runs. It is time instead to unlock the potential for
renewables. This could create thousands more jobs in the South
West than nuclear ever could and provide genuine energy security
as well as guarantee lower energy costs for businesses and
consumers.”
Citing the UK as an example, the report also says
that one of the key drivers for extending the life of nuclear
reactors and building new plants is the interdependence between
civil and military nuclear infrastructures. The report quotes the
UK’s Nuclear Industry Council “Nuclear Sector Deal” which states
that, “the sector is committed to increasing the opportunities
for transferability between civil and defence industries and
generally increasing mobility to ensure resources are positioned
at required locations.”
Molly Scott Cato concluded:
“It is clear that not only are the
economic arguments for nuclear in meltdown, but that turning from
nuclear to renewables is a case of swords to ploughshares.
Supporting nuclear power is also perpetuating nuclear weapons;
the two are inseparable.”
ENDS
