Date: 17/04/2023

Relevance: GS-3: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.

Key Phrases: Chernobyl disaster in 1986, nuclear power plants, electricity for consumers, low-carbon source, co-financed by public money.

Context:

• Germany's decades-long dispute over nuclear power has come to an end with the shutdown of the country's last three nuclear power plants.

Background:

• The nuclear power debate in Germany has a long and complex history, dating back to the 1960s when the country began to build its first nuclear power plants.
• In the early years, nuclear power was seen as a key component of the country's energy mix, providing a reliable and low-carbon source of electricity.
• However, as concerns over the safety and environmental impact of nuclear power grew, so did the opposition to its use.
• One of the defining moments in the history of the German nuclear power debate was the Chernobyl disaster in 1986.
• The accident had a significant impact on public opinion in Germany, leading to widespread protests against nuclear power and calls for the government to phase out its use.
• In response, the government introduced a number of measures aimed at improving the safety of nuclear power plants and reducing the risk of accidents.
• Despite these efforts, opposition to nuclear power continued to grow, culminating in the decision by the government in 2000 to phase out nuclear power completely by 2022.

Nuclear Power in Europe

• Other European countries were quicker to phase out nuclear power.
• Sweden was the forerunner, ending nuclear power shortly after Chernobyl, as was Italy, which also decided to close its last two nuclear power plants following the disaster.
• In Italy, the decision remained in force; in Sweden, the phase-out was reversed in 1996.
• Today, six nuclear power plants there produce around 30% of the country’s electricity needs.
• Other European countries, such as the Netherlands and Poland plan to expand their nuclear power systems, while Belgium is postponing its planned phase-out.
• With 57 reactors, France has always been Europe’s leading nuclear power country, and it intends to stay that way.
• All in all, 13 of 27 EU countries intend using nuclear power in the coming years, with a number expanding their capacities.

Nuclear Power Around the World:

• According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), there are currently 422 nuclear reactors in operation worldwide, with an average age of about 31 years.
• But a recent IAEA report said there was no indication that nuclear was experiencing a renaissance: Nuclear power generation peaked at 17.5% in 1996, and fell below 10% in 2021 — the lowest in four decades.
• Building new nuclear power plants is very expensive, often having to be co-financed by public money, and often plagued by delays and local resistance to new projects.
• The United States is the largest producer of nuclear power, while France has the largest share of electricity generated by nuclear power, at about 70%.

Asia Expands Its Nuclear Capacity:

• Nevertheless, China, Russia and in particular are all planning to build new nuclear power plants.
• China, where there is virtually no civil society to fight new projects, wants to build another 47 plants. China already produces more nuclear power than France.
• It is often argued that expanding nuclear power production protects the climate because it emits hardly any carbon dioxide.
• Even Japan wants to return to more nuclear power, despite the 2011 earthquake that caused several nuclear reactors to rupture in succession, forcing the initial closure of several nuclear power plants.
• Surveys show that, despite a long period of resistance, support among the Japanese population is gradually increasing.

What Are The Challenges Associated with Nuclear Power?

• Technical Challenges:
  • One of the significant technical challenges facing the nuclear industry is nuclear waste management.
  • The waste generated from nuclear power plants is highly radioactive and can remain hazardous for thousands of years.
  • Developing and implementing effective strategies to manage nuclear waste is a significant challenge.
  • Another technical challenge is the safety of nuclear power plants.
  • Nuclear accidents, such as the Chernobyl disaster, can have devastating consequences. Even with strict safety measures in place, accidents can still occur. Therefore, ensuring the safety of nuclear power plants is critical.
• Economic Challenges:
  • Nuclear power is expensive to build and maintain.
  • The high initial cost of constructing nuclear power plants and the cost of decommissioning them at the end of their lives make nuclear energy less economically viable.
  • Additionally, the high cost of nuclear power plants increases the cost of electricity for consumers.
• Social Challenges:
  • Public perception of nuclear power is generally negative.
  • Nuclear accidents, such as the Chernobyl disaster and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, have contributed to this negative perception.
  • Addressing public concerns about nuclear power is critical for its success.

Alternatives to Nuclear Power:

• Renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydropower, are alternatives to nuclear power.
• These energy sources are clean and sustainable, and their costs have decreased significantly in recent years.

Conclusion:

• While some argue that more nuclear power would make sense from a security of supply, environmental and climate protection, and competitiveness standpoint, the high cost and public opposition to new nuclear projects make it an unlikely solution.
• Other European countries have taken varying approaches to nuclear power, with some phasing it out entirely and others expanding their capacities.
• However, globally, nuclear power generation has declined in recent years, and it remains to be seen whether it will experience a renaissance in the face of climate change and the world's growing energy needs.

Source: The Indian Express

Mains Question:

Q. Critically evaluate the prospects for nuclear power as a viable energy source in the 21st century. What are the technical, economic, and social challenges facing the nuclear industry? What are the alternatives to nuclear power?(250 Words).