The destruction of the nuclear power plants in Fukushima, Japan by the resent tsunami has prompted reconsideration across the world of the role of nuclear power in the global fight against climate change.
The need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels had led to a revival in interest in nuclear power over recent years. The nuclear industry had been in decline since the Chernobyl accident in 1986 but, because of the increased emphasis on global climate change, many countries had decided to build new nuclear facilities or to extend the life of existing plants. In Germany the government had reversed an earlier decision to close their nuclear facilities entirely and the UK had selected a number of sites for new or replacement facilities.
In light of what has happened in Japan, Germany has now decided to close some reactors immediately and to hold a review of the remaining facilities before making a final decision on their future. Similar reviews are taking place in the USA and even China, with a strong nuclear industry, are pausing to consider if this is the correct way to proceed.
Closer to home, in the UK, the Minister with responsibility for energy and climate change has also ordered a review of the Government’s plan to replace their ageing nuclear facilities and there is evidence that UK investment banks are losing the appetite for such investment. The last UK Government had decided to use nuclear power to help them achieve the reduction in carbon emissions that were required under EU and UN agreements on global climate change. Without nuclear power there is little chance of meeting the 34% reduction targets set in the 2008 Climate Change Act.
This situation presents an opportunity for Ireland. We have the natural resources to generate significant renewable energy that can be exported via the interconnector to Britian. Using a combination of wind energy and large hydro storage reservoirs, as planned by the Spirit of Ireland initiative (see www.spiritofireland.org), this country can quickly fill the gap generated by the delay or cancellation of the UK’s nuclear plants. In the process we can generate thousands of jobs and reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuel – a commodity that is costing more and more each day.
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