In the recent Spring Budget, the UK government announced new support for nuclear power. While some may see this as a positive step towards a cleaner, greener future, others remain skeptical of nuclear power’s environmental impact and safety concerns. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the pros and cons of nuclear power, as well as its green credentials and safety record.

Nuclear power is a low-carbon energy source that emits significantly fewer greenhouse gases than fossil fuels. It also provides a reliable and constant source of electricity, which is not dependent on weather conditions like wind and solar power. However, nuclear power also has its downsides. It produces highly radioactive waste that takes thousands of years to decompose, and there is always the risk of nuclear accidents, which can have catastrophic consequences.

While nuclear power does emit less carbon dioxide than fossil fuels, it’s not without environmental impacts. Uranium mining and the production of nuclear fuel require a lot of energy and can produce significant greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, nuclear power plants consume vast amounts of water for cooling, which can put pressure on freshwater supplies and local ecosystems. However, compared to other forms of electricity generation, nuclear power has a relatively small environmental footprint.

“Over the past 50 years, the use of nuclear power has reduced CO2 emissions by over 60 gigatonnes – nearly two years’ worth of global energy-related emissions.”

International Energy Agency (IEA)

Nuclear power plants are designed to be safe and are subject to rigorous safety regulations. However, accidents can and do happen. The most well-known nuclear disaster was the Chernobyl accident in 1986, which released large amounts of radioactive material into the atmosphere and had significant health and environmental impacts. However, advances in nuclear technology and safety protocols mean that modern nuclear power plants are much safer than older ones.

Nuclear energy is fading in advanced economies with plants closing and little investment being made in the technology. Germany, for example, closed all its nuclear plants this year and the UK shut down three in 2022. There are various reasons for the shutdowns, including the threat of a catastrophe, cost overruns, and aging nuclear stations.

The UK government’s recent announcement of support for nuclear power has divided opinion. While some see it as a necessary step to meet carbon reduction targets, others argue that investment should be focused on renewable energy sources instead. Additionally, there are concerns about the high cost of building and maintaining nuclear power plants and the challenge of safely storing radioactive waste.

Nuclear power is a complex and contentious issue, with both advantages and drawbacks. While it is a low-carbon energy source, it is not without environmental impacts or safety concerns. Ultimately, the decision to invest in nuclear power or not will depend on a range of factors, including cost, public opinion, and political will.