Nuclear energy - a much vexed question

Source: World Nuclear Association

The question of the use of nuclear power continues to be a central issue of debate particularly given the increasing share of power generation which the sector continues to grow and the need to reduce and finally remove reliance on fossil fuel consumption (oil and coal).

The industry points out that clean electricity from 'new renewables' (viz solar, wind, biomass and geothermal power) has the capacity to produce electricity in the decades ahead only in  limited amount. The International Energy Agency projects that, even with continued subsidy and research support, these new renewables can only provide around 6% of world electricity by 2030. That is actually a questionable figure and quotation as currently, in some economies, 6% or close to it has already been reached.

Further the industry argues that while environmentalists have played a valuable role in warning that catastrophic climate change is a real and imminent danger, it is also crucially important that they be equally realistic about solutions. Even with maximum conservation - and a landscape covered by solar panels and windmills - the world's community would still need large-scale source of around-the-clock electricity to meet much of the world's energy needs. Nuclear power, it is argued - like wind, hydro and solar energy - can generate electricity with no carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gas emissions. The critical difference is that nuclear energy is the only proven option with the capacity to produce vastly expanded supplies of clean electricity on a global scale. 

However this position while on a superficial basis appears accurate, it overlooks a variety of related issues which impact on the nuclear power generation. The cost of waste management and disposal of highly dangerous radioactive waste is not presented nor accounted. The actual cost of power generation per kilowatt is actually more expensive than the dirty coal fired generators and of the different nuclear technologies, only one has a modicum of safety over the long term.

Source: World Nuclear Assocation