Date: 29/04/2023

Relevance: GS-3: Infrastructure: Energy

Key Phrases: nuclear power, Solar and Wind Power, green power, decarbonizing the electricity sector, low-carbon energy source, Chernobyl and Fukushima disasters, Nuclear Liability, Cost Overruns, Radioactive Waste.

Why in News?

• Germany has shut down the last of its nuclear power plants; France, the nuclear powerhouse of the world, is struggling to replenish its stock of ageing reactors.
• With solar and wind power becoming more popular globally, there are questions on whether nuclear power, with its attendant concerns on cost and safety, remains a relevant option for a future that is fossil-free, particularly in India.

The Global Outlook for Nuclear Power:

• There has been a renaissance of sorts for nuclear power in the last two years, with even Europe and the US looking at it again, especially after the Ukraine war.
• China has been surging ahead on nuclear power, and South Korea’s new president has changed energy policy to increase the share of nuclear power in the country’s energy mix to 30% by 2030.
• Japan, despite having faced the Fukushima accident, has restarted reactors and plans to start ten more. This is because Japan would have had to depend on expensive imported coal or natural gas (LNG) otherwise.
• Even the UK has said that scaling up nuclear power is essential for decarbonizing the electricity sector.

Nuclear Power vs. Solar and Wind Power

• While many people worldwide are still struggling with the question of whether nuclear power is green, it is low-carbon, even when you consider life-cycle costs.
• Many countries believe that nuclear power would be good to have in the mix because it provides firm, dispatchable power, while wind and solar are intermittent or variable.
• While batteries are seen as the answer to the issue of variable power, they are very expensive and have an environmental impact.
• Therefore, it's essential to consider whether there is a viable alternative to nuclear power before phasing it out.

Is nuclear power ‘green’?

• Nuclear power is a low-carbon energy source, which means it does not emit carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. In this sense, it is often seen as a "green" energy source.
• However, the process of mining and processing uranium, building and operating nuclear power plants, and disposing of nuclear waste all have environmental impacts that need to be considered.
• Additionally, accidents such as the Chernobyl and Fukushima disasters have demonstrated the potential for catastrophic environmental and human consequences.
• The issue of nuclear waste disposal also poses a challenge, as the radioactive material can remain hazardous for thousands of years.

Challenges Associated with Nuclear Power:

• Safety Concerns:
  • The safety of nuclear power plants is a significant concern, mainly due to the catastrophic consequences of nuclear accidents.
  • The accidents at Chernobyl and Fukushima are still fresh in people's minds.
  • Even though nuclear safety has improved since then, the potential for human error, natural disasters, or other incidents leading to nuclear accidents cannot be ignored.
• Nuclear Proliferation:
  • Another concern associated with nuclear power is the possibility of nuclear proliferation.
  • The enrichment of uranium for nuclear fuel production can also be used to develop nuclear weapons.
  • Therefore, countries that have nuclear power plants must be extremely cautious about the safety and security of their nuclear facilities to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
• Liability Issues:
  • Nuclear liability is a significant sticking point for many countries. In the event of a nuclear accident, the question of liability arises.
  • This issue has been a stumbling block for India's deal with France to install European Pressurized Reactors at Jaitapur, Maharashtra.
  • The potential liability costs can be enormous, making nuclear power an expensive proposition for many countries.
• Cost Overruns:
  • The cost of building and operating nuclear power plants is another significant challenge.
  • The high capital costs of nuclear power plants, coupled with the lengthy regulatory approval process, can lead to cost overruns.
  • The cost of nuclear power plants is higher than the cost of alternative sources of energy such as solar and wind power.
• Radioactive Waste:
  • Nuclear power plants generate radioactive waste that needs to be safely disposed of to avoid environmental contamination.
  • Spent fuel from nuclear power plants is highly radioactive and can pose significant health risks.
  • The disposal of nuclear waste is a contentious issue, with no satisfactory solution found yet.

Conclusion:

• While there are concerns about the safety, cost, and waste associated with nuclear power, it remains a low-carbon source of base-load power.
• India's energy mix is dominated by coal, which has significant environmental and health impacts.
• Phasing out nuclear power could result in an increased reliance on coal, which would have severe environmental and health consequences.
• Therefore, nuclear power should remain a part of India's energy mix, at least in the short to medium term.
• However, India should continue to invest in renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels in the long term.

Source: The Hindu

Mains Question:

Q. What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of nuclear energy in the Indian context, and is it advisable for India to gradually discontinue its use of nuclear power?