(21/11/07) Nieuw rapport wijst op afname gebruik nucleaire energie

• 2007-11-22

De Europese Groenen stelden een statusrapport over de nucleaire industrie in de wereld voor. Het aandeel van kerncentrales voor het opwekken van energie neemt af in 21 van 31 gecontroleerde landen. Er zijn vijf kernreactoren op non-actief gezet sinds 2002 en voorlopig zijn er nog plannen voor de bouw van 32 nieuwe centrales. Ook dat zijn er 20 minder dan aan het eind van de jaren '90.

Hieruit blijkt dat nucleaire energie niet die groei inhoudt waarover de industrie het altijd heeft. De studie toont ook aan dat vertegenwoordigers van de kernindustrie een mistgordijn spuiten. Dit mag een waarschuwing zijn voor de beleidsmakers om niet al te gemakkelijk publieke middelen te investeren in dit soort energie. Die investeringen gaan dan ten koste van middelen voor duurzame energiebronnen. Nucleaire energie voorstellen als dé oplossing voor de klimaatverandering is al helemaal uit den boze.

SAMENVATTING VAN HET RAPPORT

Nuclear energy
New report highlights nuclear decline in spite of industry talk of renaissance

The role of nuclear energy is in decline, according to a report 'World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2007' (1) presented by the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament today. The report outlines that the proportion of nuclear energy in power production has decreased in 21 out of 31 countries, with five less functioning nuclear reactors than five years ago. There are currently 32 nuclear power plants under construction or in the pipeline, 20 fewer than at the end of the 1990s. Commenting on the report and this nuclear decline, German Green MEP and energy spokesperson Rebecca Harms stated:
"In stark contrast to the claims of the nuclear industry and its talk of a renaissance, nuclear energy is in decline. The shrinking of nuclear in Europe is particularly notable, with ten power plants being permanently withdrawn from the network since the last report in 2004. With fewer plants being built and existing plants becoming more decrepit, it seems clear that the grandiose ambitions of the nuclear industry will remain in the realm of fantasy."

False promises for a nuclear revival could lead to misplaced public expenditure, delaying a more intelligent and sustainable approach to energy supply. In addition, plans for building new reactors would be in direct competition for the limited manufacturing capacity that is already stretched by the maintenance costs for existing (aging) reactors.

"The gap between the expectations being promoted by the nuclear industry and reality are perfectly highlighted by the bungled attempt to build a new reactor at the Olkiluoto plant in Finland. This first new nuclear project in 15 years has been blighted by problems. After only two years of construction the project is already two years delayed and the budget is set to be overrun by at least 50%, with 1.5 billion euro in losses and shocking errors in key technical specifications. Clearly, talk of a nuclear revival is divorced from reality and political leaders must call the nuclear industry's bluff," continued Rebecca Harms.

"Nuclear energy is fraught with risk and these risks have in no way diminished. Attempts to position nuclear power as the panacea for climate change are misleading and dangerous. This report reveals that a nuclear revival is unlikely. We must ignore the nuclear smokescreen and focus on proven, clean technologies in response to the climate crisis we are facing."