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An opening for nuclear plans causes debate

Forsmark, one of Sweden’s existing nuclear power plants. Photo: Vattenfall.

A few days ago the Swedish state-owned power company Vattenfall announced that they are starting a partnership with parts of the Swedish basic industry. The aim is to secure energy production and electricity supply, and according to Vattenfall this might result in a new nuclear power plant being constructed.

The debate reawakens

This news caused a lot of attention. Nuclear power has been a sensitive matter in Sweden ever since the 1980 referendum, which after enormous debates decided that "Nuclear power shall be phased out, while taking consideration of the need for electric power for the maintenance of employment and welfare.”
Earlier this year the government decided to lift the ban. And with Vattenfall opening up to invest in new nuclear energy, the discussion is back.

Clashing arguments

In the light of global warming supporters of nuclear power mean that it represents the most realistic way of covering Sweden’s energy consumption. Their opponents retort that the long term storage of nuclear waste still isn’t entirely solved, that uranium also is a finite resource and that there are risks associated with nuclear power.

Vattenfall was also the aim of environmental groups earlier last week, when Greenpeace dumped 18 tonnes of coal outside the government chancellery Rosenbad, as a protest against state-owned Vattenfall running coal power plants outside Sweden.

The banner says “Reinfeldt stop Sweden’s coal power plants”. Photo: Greenpeace.

Comment on this entry

There are 2 comments on this article:

Sara

Country:  Sweden, Nov 3, 2009

Some of the power plants that Greenpeace are protesting against at the photo above are constructed with the same argument, that so called carbon capture and storage, CCS, will be used in the future. When this technique will be ready for commercial use isn't entirely clear yet, though.
And yes, you are right about 2050 being very far away. We have to solve the energy supply long before then!

Pol

Country:  Croatia, Nov 2, 2009

This kind of debate is actual also in Croatia lately. We share one nuclear powerplant with Slovenia (on their territory but very close to border) and there is an option to build a new one (or two) in Croatia. One of the option is also a coal powerplants arguing they have some new form of filters. Personaly, i would certainly implant some renewable source as a supplement on my house and i eagerly await fusion power (even when 2050 is to much to wait).

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