Facts about nuclear power

20 April 2011

Friends of the Earth research has shown we don't need nuclear reactors to stop climate change.

In fact every £1 the Government spends on nuclear energy is an opportunity lost for the safer, cleaner solution to the problem of climate change - green energy.

Green energy >

Nuclear power is dangerous and expensive because of:

• Security threats
  Power stations could be terrorist targets.
• Toxic waste
  Pollutes environment. Waste needs costly management for generations.
• Global proliferation
  Availability of deadly materials increased.

Myths about nuclear power

Myth 1: We can't stop climate change without nuclear

• The Government's own model shows a non-nuclear future is possible while still meeting carbon-reduction goals.
• Nuclear is not emissions free: mining, transporting and processing uranium uses a lot of energy and carbon.

Myth 2: Nuclear energy is affordable

• Billions of pounds of subsidies have been poured into nuclear power.
• It still isn't cost effective without subsidies - costs rarely take into account the expense of storing hazardous waste or decommissioning of nuclear plants.
• In 2010 Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne exposed a deficit of £4bn required to decommission nuclear power plants in the UK. The tax payer will pick up the bill.

What we are effectively paying for here is decades of cheap nuclear electricity for which we have suddenly got a massive post-dated bill.

Chris Huhne, Energy and Climate Change Secretary, 2010 

Myth 3: Nuclear energy is clean

• Nuclear power produces radioactive waste that stays dangerous for tens of thousands of years.

Myth 4: Nuclear energy is not a risk to the public

• No nuclear power plant can be 100% safe. Between 2001 and 2008 there were 1,767 safety breaches at British nuclear plants. Half were considered by the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate to "have the potential to challenge a nuclear safety system".
• Our nuclear power stations are vulnerable to terrorism. Research for the European Commission has said that a direct hit from a 747 crashing into Sellafield could have an impact 40 times worse than that of the explosion at Chernobyl.

Facts about renewable energy

Fact 1: Renewable energy makes economic sense

• Investment in offshore renewable energy - things like wind turbines at sea, and wave and tidal power - could provide 145,000 jobs and £28bn in tax revenue.
• If we produced all our own energy the UK would be less vulnerable to fuel price hikes in times of political or economical instability abroad.
• Renewable resources would generate the same amount of energy as nuclear generation could with the same investment.

Fact 2: Renewable resources can meet our energy needs

• We can keep the lights on and cut the UK's reliance on oil and nuclear. Marine energy alone could provide all the electricity we need 3 times over.
• The sun does not always shine in the UK but experts are confident that the technology now being developed will allow us to store renewable energy for a rainy day. The issue of intermittent supply can be overcome.
• A major independent study shows the world can produce virtually all the energy we need from renewable sources.

Fact 3: The technology exists now

• Renewable energy is one of the fastest-growing markets in the UK. The technology is ready to make a significant contribution to the UK energy mix.

Fact 4: The public wants more investment in renewable energy, not nuclear

• An independent survey commissioned by Friends of the Earth shows the Government's plans for a major expansion of nuclear power in the UK are out of step with public opinion.

Energy Saving

The most cost-effective way to reduce our need for nuclear power is simply to cut energy waste. UK homes are so poorly insulated that £1 in every £4 spent on heating could be saved. Research shows that improving the the UK's worst homes would pay back the financial investment in 6 years. 

Read 50 energy saving ideas here.

Green energy >