‘Nuclear plant would solve emissions woes’

Group wants Clare power station to be converted

A LOBBY group has argued that it is time to consider building nuclear power plants in order to cut carbon emissions.

Better Environment with Nuclear Energy – a voluntary organisation calling for nuclear power to be considered as an energy source – says Ireland must switch to nuclear power to stick to its emission reduction targets.

Current legislation does not allow for nuclear power plants in Ireland.

And Green Party TD Eamon Ryan said that while he welcomes debate around the topic, he does not believe nuclear energy is the way forward due to its higher price. He also told the Irish Daily Mail that offshore wind power should be the future of Moneypoint.

‘I think it would be much cheaper and much better to connect from Moneypoint out to the Atlantic,’ he said. ‘I think offshore floating wind power is now coming into viability and I think it’s far more attractive. We’ve very strong wind speeds in the west of Ireland and Moneypoint is a perfect location for bringing that power ashore.’

But engineer and nuclear expert with BENE, Denis Duff urged policymakers to consider nuclear as an option. ‘We are fooling ourselves at the moment in thinking a significant target can be achieved without considering all options,’ he said.

‘Nuclear energy can actually lower electricity prices while helping us reach our climate change targets which are urgently needed.’

Under EU targets, Ireland has made a commitment to reduce emissions by 40%, compared to 1990 levels, by 2030.

Mr Duff suggested that a new nuclear energy plant could replace the existing Moneypoint facility on Co. Clare.

‘There are now viable options Ireland can consider when it comes to nuclear energy that were not available before,’ he continued, before using an example of a new facility expected to open in Utah in 2026. Moneypoint is currently due to close in 2025.

All three main coal-fired turbines at the power station were closed for a number of months last year, which led to observations at the time that it would be possible for Moneypoint to close ahead of schedule.

BENE believes that using renewable energy alone will not be enough to fully decarbonise electricity generation by 2030.

The group says it is an independent collection of experts and consultants and publishes details on this core group on its website.

Mr Duff works independently in the energy sector both at home and abroad. Others include David Robert Grimes, a scientist who writes about science and the environment. Another, Tom O’Flaherty, is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers of Ireland. The group says it is motivated by a desire to reduce carbon emissions and save the environment. ‘We need to begin a renewed debate and put nuclear energy options back on the table to help reduce emissions, protect our economy and allow us to live productive lives without destroying the climate,’ Mr Duff said.

Ireland is aiming to stop using coal and peat for electricity generation by 2025 and 2030 respectively, which the Department of Environment say will more than halve the current level of carbon emissions from the electricity generation sector.

A spokesperson for the department said the Government’s Climate Plan is set to be published in the coming weeks, and will include measures to step up Ireland’s response to climate change, and reduce emissions.

A spokesperson for ESB Networks said the company is not currently assessing Small Modular Reactors technologies, which include nuclear power.

‘Help us hit climate change targets’