Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tech & Science

IEA says nuclear power plants needed to help meet climate goals

According to the International Energy Agency, nuclear is now the largest low-carbon power source in the U.S. and Europe, about three times bigger than solar and wind combined. However, most of the world’s nuclear power plants were built in the 1970s and 1980s, and many will reach the end of their lifespan by 2022.

The IEA points out that in order to achieve a low-carbon transition consistent with 2°C degree climate goals, the rate of investment in energy efficiency, renewables, and other low-carbon technologies, including nuclear energy needs to be increased markedly by the mid-2020s.

And it is interesting that the IEA has spoken out at this particular time because just 10 days ago, the French environment and energy minister Nicolas Hulot, told reporters at the G7 Environmental Summit that France plans to close some nuclear reactors of state-controlled utility, EDF to reduce nuclear’s share in the country’s power mix.

The expansion of the Vogtle Power Plant in Georgia is already four years behind schedule.

The expansion of the Vogtle Power Plant in Georgia is already four years behind schedule.
Westinghouse Electric Co.


Nuclear power plants operate, on average about 8,000 hours a year versus 1,500-2,000 hours for a solar plant. And in France, nuclear provides 75 percent of the country’s power. On the sidelines of the Eurelectric utilities conference in Portugal this week, IEA Chief Economist Laszlo Varro told Reuters, “The aging of the nuclear fleet is a considerable challenge for energy security and decarbonisation objectives.”

Varro pointed out that while renewables have grown rapidly over the past 10 years, 20 percent of new low-carbon capacity has been lost because of decommissioning of nuclear power plants during the same period. “This is just a taste of thing to come,” Varro said.

Russia and India are building new nuclear power plants, and in China, they are bringing a new nuclear power plant online every quarter. But in Europe and the U.S., there doesn’t seem to be much appetite for new nuclear projects, Varro said.

The reactor pressure vessel of a nuclear power plant being decommissioned is being transported away ...

The reactor pressure vessel of a nuclear power plant being decommissioned is being transported away from the site for burial.
Nuclear Regulatory Comission


Financing a new nuclear plant is an expensive proposition, and in the United States, several projects have run into huge cost overruns, while in Japan, there is a public fear of nuclear power after the Fukushima disaster in 2011.

Decommissioning a nuclear power plant doesn’t come easy, either. The process involves the use of technology, like robotics, and needs to be done under the auspices of nuclear authorities so that the dismantling takes place safely. The whole process can take over several years before it is complete.

“If we do not keep nuclear in the energy mix and do not accelerate wind and solar deployment, the loss of nuclear capacity will knock us back by 15 to 20 years. We do not have that much time to lose,” Varro said.

Avatar photo
Written By

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our dear friend Karen Graham, who served as Editor-at-Large at Digital Journal. She was 78 years old. Karen's view of what is happening in our world was colored by her love of history and how the past influences events taking place today. Her belief in humankind's part in the care of the planet and our environment has led her to focus on the need for action in dealing with climate change. It was said by Geoffrey C. Ward, "Journalism is merely history's first draft." Everyone who writes about what is happening today is indeed, writing a small part of our history.

You may also like:

Life

The “No Buy 2025” challenge has garnered thousands of posts on TikTok with many people sharing their personal rules for buying less.

Business

The head of the World Health Organization insisted it was "now or never" to strike a landmark global accord on tackling future pandemics.

Tech & Science

Mexico will take Google to court if it insists on changing the Gulf of Mexico's name to "Gulf of America" for Maps.

Entertainment

Kiana Kaye spoke about starring in the new short film "Ride or Die," which was written and directed by Joshua Shultz, and being a...