Nuclear Energy in Ireland?
I would like to bring up the subject on nuclear energy in Ireland. It is another one of those controversial topics that has been given quite a bit of attention in the past while. I suppose the main questions are; is it really necessary and what will it mean for the country?
Looking at this from a governmental perspective, introduction of this type of electricity generation would greatly decrease Irelands dependence on fossil fuels. It would lower the price of our electricity bills (nuclear energy is a relatively cheap form of generation) and it would dramatically decrease our CO2 output. This all seems great, and actually it is. The problem here is that we have to weigh up the pros and the cons.
So what are the disadvantages of nuclear power in Ireland? Firstly, as I have already said, nuclear energy is cheap. If we had such a cheap clean source of energy, what would that do to the renewable market? Suddenly wind turbines, bio fuel and solar would seem extremely expensive in comparison. In my personal opinion, we would see less investment in these forms of energy on a domestic and an industrial level. This is something that we do not want, especially if alternative energy in Ireland has not yet reached its full potential.
Ireland has kept nuclear energy at bay for many years. Of course it is necessary to move forward with the continuously increasing energy demand but surely nuclear energy should be a last resort. As an Irish citizen, I am proud to say that my country is nuclear free and I would be genuinely disappointed to see a nuclear reactor on the island. Renewable energy is far from being exhausted and to “go nuclear” would , for me seem like giving up.
I am aware that modern day nuclear reactors are extremely safe and while waste storage is not a solved problem, it is not something that should get in the way of reactor implementation (I will discuss this in more detail in a future article). Nuclear energy should only really be considered as a last resort and not as the “easy way out”.
there already is nuclear energy in ireland. we are connected to the english grid in the north of ireland
Josh, I understand that we already import energy via inter-connectors from the UK and also from central Europe. What I am trying to get across here in this article is that an actual nuclear power plant located in Ireland should be looked at as a last resort considering the fact that we should first exhaust the potential of renewable energies. Something that I feel we have yet to do.
David i am currently doing my dissertation on this issue and my question to u is, with the fininancial problems the state is facing currently can the building of the infastructure and generation areas for renewable energy generation be to costly and drawn out to effectivly eradicate the over reliance of fossil fuels in ireland? and could the building of a nuclear facility give us a get out of jail free card for the time being which in turn trough the drastic reduction of spending on fossil facilities give the renewable sector a better chance of developing over time.
If you could help i would be interested to hear your opinion on the subject.
gwallace@tranceaddict.net
Glen, at the moment, Europe has placed a lot of focus on Renewable energy and infrastructure development and, for Ireland to jump off that boat would greatly damage our reputation and future in that industry. Not only this but, in terms of the future ahead of renewable energies in Ireland, it would not be a very bright one if we introduce Nuclear Energy on the island. Nuclear is a cheap way of generating energy and something that renewables would have trouble competing with.
Furthermore, Nuclear energy generation would increase the level of social unrest in the country.
Hi Glen,
I would have to agree with Dave on this one. Unfortunately, nuclear energy must considered beyond just economics and look at political and social issues too.
Another interesting point on the topic is the potential for Ireland to be a center for renewable energy technology manufacturing (especially in the area of Wind turbines). Ireland has an educated labor force and would be a great place to hold wind energy research and development. This sector is greatly needed now in Ireland and going for nuclear would jeopardize that potential. Look at East Germany right now. It is the center for photo-voltaic research and manufacturing. German politics focused on turning the industry poor East Germany after the fall of the wall into a high tech renewable energy region creating thousands of jobs. Ireland has that same potential and that should be a strong point for politicians before introducing nuclear.
thanks i will take your opinions on board the only thing im not convinced about is whilst i totally agree with what your saying what i would argue is that the timescales your ideas are going to take to develop, and with many other countries trying to generate the same technological centers what is the cost to the state going to be through not meeting emmisions targets , increasing fuel costs , paying of bailout debts and everything else considered can we afford not to take the easy option here maybe im wrong but i can see people being more concerned with how we can generate more energy cheaply reducing costs to the exchequre, will there be any point in developing these centers you talk of if all the educated workforce of the country can see no choice but to emigrate because living in our country is not viable financially to people anymore.
Ireland is going to need fast economic growth to meet the demands of paying of debt’s which is sad but true England and France have already outlined new nuclear developments, are we at risk of trying to be to adventerous for our own good.
maybe i am just looking at a short term gain over longterm benifit but would it not be better that way considering the economic situation we are in presently.
please dont think i am anti renewable as i would like to see nothing else than a wind powered ireland over a nuclear one maybe a government agreement to divert some of the financial gains of the fossil reliance reduction into the renewable sector could be the best way forward.
p.s, this is strictly theoretically speaking i know the whole anti nuclear psyce in ireland would be to hard to overcome for anyone in power in the Dail
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