Review ban on nuclear energy.

This is deliberately meant to be a contentious idea. If you read anything about energy generation on social media everyone clamours "what about nuclear - it solves all our issues." so I think it should be looked into as part of this consultation.

There is currently a ban on nuclear energy development in Scotland. This should be reviewed.

One issue with renewable energy is that it is variable and there is a need for a baseload. Nuclear plants are ideal for providing this baseload and would remove the need for gas and coal plants to provide for periods of variable resources. This would both allow Scotland to meet its climate targets and still allow for reliable energy generation.

The energy density of Uranium would allow Scotland to stock-pile decades worth of fuel in its own borders and be protected from external issues such as the war in Ukraine causing price spikes.

The current ban on nuclear technology is based on old-style reactors rather than the modern variants which are safer, produce less waste and in theory can regenerate fuel rather than waste.

Why the contribution is important

It's important to consider all decisions when looking at a just transition to ensure that a workable solution is provided. Energy has to be reliable to be useful.

A firm analysis of why nuclear is too expensive, dangerous or otherwise could be used to finally answer the argument that nuclear is bad. Conversely, it could also indicate that nuclear is an important part in Scotland moving forward.

Personally, I do not want to see nuclear power stations in Scotland I think it would be a mistake but decisions should be made on all available evidence and not reviewing the decision would be an oversight by the government.

by Tony on August 26, 2022 at 10:38AM

Current Rating

Average rating: 3.0
Based on: 7 votes

Comments

  • Posted by IdeLW August 27, 2022 at 15:50

    Nuclear energy is expensive , slow to set up and hazardous.
     The disposal of toxic waste remains a huge problem.

    Please concentrate on the ever-increasing renewable options.

  • Posted by ErikDalhuijsen August 29, 2022 at 17:55

    The evidence against nuclear is explicitly clear (unless you ask a billionaire, or someone with ties to the highly subsidised nuclear industry). The government's own views already show that nuclear is far more expensive than renewables, even if everything works out as planned. And it never has.

    The following is for educational purposes only and no criticism intended of the idea poster - I wholly appreciate the "let's get this answer clear for once and for all" perspective!

    Some of the arguments used in the description are incorrect:

    "One issue with renewable energy is that it is variable and there is a need for a baseload. Nuclear plants are ideal for providing this baseload"
    >> The issue with renewables is that there is explicitly NO need for baseload. There is need for resolving the intermittency, and there is need for using (for storage?) excess energy when it is available. That's the opposite.

    "The current ban on nuclear technology is based on old-style reactors rather than the modern variants which are safer, produce less waste and in theory can regenerate fuel rather than waste."
    >>That's in theory, and nuclear industry theory has never even closely matched reality. Reality is that the "great next step" never comes, even with billions of public money invested. Fusion was "just around the corner" then, and it still is. "The waste problem will be solved real soon" - well, few people mention this at all now. "SMR's are proven technology, safe, and easy to build" - until you ask an expert and find out that "industrial serialisation" of nuclear installations is incredibly hazardous and extremely expensive.
    Etcetera, into eternity.

  • Posted by Malachy September 01, 2022 at 12:43

    Nuclear is a bad idea. https://foe.scot/the-latest-nuclear-con/

    They are expensive to set up and to run, they take ages to set up and ultimately they are not sustainable or renewable. They produce deadly waste that needs storage.

  • Posted by AngelaMLAnderson September 01, 2022 at 15:36

    I haven't rated this in case that is seen as favourable. I do think this should be in the same box as fracking. It needs to be permently removed. There is no way nuclear is a green option and there is no way it is a safe option. The cost, development time, planning etc is much better used developing renewables. The wind might not blow, the sun shine or the waves rock everyday but the tide goes in and out in a predictable pattern.
    With sea water rise, drought and flood never mind war nuclear plants should be regarded as bombs not answers to energy gaps.

  • Posted by MarionGRobertson September 05, 2022 at 14:19

    As others above and myself elsewhere have stated, there is no case for new nuclear in Scotland. ScotGov's position on it, opposition, should remain, and permanently.

  • Posted by mb828590 September 08, 2022 at 20:07

    Totally agree with other comments, There is no place for nuclear energy considering the human cost and nuclear fallout subsequent to Fukushima and Chernobyl. I have not given any stars as this would be completely inappropriate.
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