The role of nuclear power in a low carbon economy A report by the Sustainable Development Commission

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The role of nuclear power in alow carbon
economyA report by the Sustainable Development
Commissionto the EEAC 16th September 2006
sustainable development commission
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why are we having this debate?

• climate change is a massive concern
• current measures to reduce carbon emissions are
  not working
• growing concern over UK energy security due to
  increased reliance on imported gas
• Talk of an impending energy gap

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a transparent process

• developed for the Governments Energy Review
• we commissioned eight evidence-based reports
• three divergent positions were identified
• NO, NOT NOW, and MAYBE
• SDC Commissioners voted on these eight favoured
  Position 1, five favoured Position 2, two
  favoured Position 3

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rethinking our assumptions

• nuclear power cannot solve climate change or
  energy security problems alone
• even if we double existing capacity, this would
  only give an 8 cut in carbon emissions by 2035
  and would contribute nothing by 2010
• Is nuclear power a zero carbon technology

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pros

• nuclear power does have some important
  advantages
• it is a low carbon technology
• it would contribute to energy security by
  increasing the diversity of electricity supply
• the UK safety record is very good nuclear
  performs well against some fossil fuels on health
  safety grounds

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cons

• we have also identified five significant
  disadvantages
• long-term waste impossible to guarantee safety,
  where would it be stored?
• costs - highly uncertain, likely to require
  subsidy
• inflexibility 50 year lock-in, provides base
  load
• undermine energy efficiency crowding out
• international security proliferation, accident
  risk, terrorism, maintaining international
  leadership on climate change.

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can we do it without nuclear?

• SDC evidence shows it is possible to meet carbon
  reduction targets without nuclear, using
• energy efficiency 20MtC by 2020 (27 power
  stations)
• renewable energy UK resource for 68-87 of UK
  electricity supply
• more efficient use of fossil fuels (CHP)
• carbon capture storage technologies as a bridge
• nuclear power is a choice, not an absolute
  necessity

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our advice to Ministers

• we find that the problems outweigh the potential
  benefits of nuclear power
• therefore our advice to Ministers is that there
  is no justification for bringing forward a new
  nuclear power programme at this time
• however, we do not rule out further research into
  new nuclear technologies and answers to the waste
  issue

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the way forward

• government must stop looking for an easy fix
• a sustainable energy policy would combine
• aggressive expansion of energy efficiency,
  renewables, CHP
• urgent assessment of carbon capture storage
  technologies
• a radical low carbon innovation strategy, with
  funding increased to the levels of our
  international competitors
• policies to increase demand of low carbon
  technologies, including an expanded role for
  emissions trading schemes
• this would make the UK a leader in low carbon
  technologies, meeting our energy needs whilst
  enhancing economic competitiveness
• it is a question of political will rather than
  technical ability

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www.sd-commission.org.uk