Cost – New Nuclear for Ireland

Ireland’s nuclear options

Ireland is a long way from deciding whether to use nuclear energy to help supply our electricity in a manner that is low in emissions while being affordable and reliable. But what would be the relevant details if Ireland decides to proceed with a nuclear plant?

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BENE Better Environment with Nuclear Energy

1 month ago

A sneak preview of a letter we wrote to The Irish Times yesterday - but will a letter that draws attention to a failing public policy be published?

Sir,

Dr David Connolly, CEO of the Irish Wind Energy Association, correctly calls for political leadership in tackling climate change (Opinion, 5th October www.irishtimes.com/opinion/we-need-political-leadership-on-climate-change-1.3652789
), but the IWEA’s ‘Baringa’ plan – 70% renewables by 2030 – would commit Ireland to an expensive failure in this regard. www.iwea.com/images/Article_files/Final_Baringa_70by30_Report_web.pdf

Baringa acknowledges that even with up to 90% of electricity coming from renewables, the required fossil fuel backup would limit the reduction in carbon emissions to 30% while full decarbonisation is the target. The unfortunate truth is that depending on renewables to such a large extent makes it impractical to supply backup from the low carbon alternatives needed to fully decarbonise.

This apparent paradox needs to be understood if we are tackle climate change effectively. The simple fact is that climate change is largely attributed to excessive carbon emissions, not to a lack of renewable energy. This is borne out in Ireland which already has world-leading levels of renewable electricity but emissions are still 12 times higher than our 2050 target.

Effectively tackling climate change will require steady focus on the salient target – emissions reduction – even if this means reduced focus on the onerous and counter-productive renewables target.

Baringa actually points the way forward when read along with ESB’s ‘Low Carbon Future’ paper from 2017. The solution entails developing the optimum reliable low-carbon technology - including nuclear, carbon-capture and biomass – supported by onshore wind, offshore wind and solar where they can be supplied at the Baringa estimates of €60 to €80 / MWh.
www.esb.ie/docs/default-source/Publications/ireland's-low-carbon-future---dimensions-of-a-solution-(with-links)

Such a system would result in a low carbon, affordable electricity system, would allow more ‘carbon headroom’ for our important agriculture sector, and would allow onshore wind turbines to be installed only where actively welcomed by local communities, unlike at present.

Given that nuclear, in particular, has now become more attractive to Ireland as design improvements have lowered cost and size while improving safety and waste management, the time has come to independently review how best to generate truly low carbon, reliable and affordable electricity. This review would provide a rationale our political leaders in their very difficult task of providing leadership as we, finally, begin to effectively tackle climate change.

Yours etc. ... See MoreSee Less

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BENE Better Environment with Nuclear Energy

3 months ago

A review of Ireland's climate change performance in the past decade again shows the folly of doing the same things but expecting different results. What do we need to change to become a Climate Change Leader? ... See MoreSee Less

Climate Action – decision time for Ireland – New Nuclear for Ireland

bene.ie

Climate Action – decision time for Ireland Ireland has had no shortage of recent initiatives aimed at delivering a sustainable, reliable and affordable energy system. These include the Energy Green ...

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BENE Better Environment with Nuclear Energy

4 months ago

Would you like to take some effective Climate Action?

How about attending a weekend strategy meeting with some of the world's most effective campaigners in resisting politically-motivated early closure of nuclear power plants?

Get involved in ensuring that nuclear is allowed to play its important role in achieving our emissions reduction goals. ... See MoreSee Less

Unite against Germany’s “unethical effort” to kill European Nuclear – New Nuclear for Ireland

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Unite against Germany’s “unethical effort” to kill European Nuclear Mike Shellenberger of Environmental Progress is organising a public event to draw attention to the need for nuclear power to s...

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BENE Better Environment with Nuclear Energy

7 months ago

We made a submission to Britain's consultation on the environmental impacts on Ireland of Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant. While the project will have environmental benefits for the UK and the counties surrounding the plant, we see its positive and negative environmental impacts on Ireland as being negligible. ... See MoreSee Less

BENE submission to the Transboundary environmental public consultation – Hinkley Point C – New Nuclear for Ireland

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BENE submission to the Transboundary environmental public consultation – Hinkley Point C Britain asked for Ireland’s views on the environmental impacts of Hinkley Point C, a nuclear power plant wh...

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7 months ago

In a continuation of where Irish born Ernest Walton & Cockroft, took off. The similar electrostatic acceleration of a small number of isotopes into non-elastic collisions
. ... See MoreSee Less

Irish student (14) building a nuclear fusion reactor in his back garden

independent.ie

The school holidays have begun and most students are looking forward to a break away from the books.

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