Nuclear Power
 | Nuclear power is not the answer to tackling climate change or security of supply. |
» Download our full report: The role of nuclear power in a low carbon economy
"the most thorough, hard-hitting and detailed case against the British nuclear option" - Michael McCarthy, Independent |
The SDC's nuclear power project was commissioned in Summer 2005 and was funded from SDC core funds. It was published in March 2006.
Based on eight new research papers, the SDC report is a balanced examination of the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power. It recognises that nuclear power is a low carbon technology, with an impressive safety record in the UK. Nuclear could generate large quantities of electricity, contribute to stabilising CO2 emissions and would add to the diversity of the UK's energy supply.
However, the research establishes that even if the UK's existing nuclear capacity were doubled, it would only result in an 8% cut in CO2 emissions by 2035 (and nothing before 2010). This fact must be set against the risks.
The report identifies five major disadvantages to nuclear power:
1. Long-term waste - no long term solutions are yet available, let alone acceptable to the general public; it is impossible to guarantee safety over the long-term disposal of waste. |
2. Cost - the economics of nuclear new-build are highly uncertain. There is little, if any, justification for public subsidy, but if estimated costs escalate, there's a clear risk that the taxpayer will be have to pick up the tab. |
3. Inflexibility - nuclear would lock the UK into a centralised distribution system for the next 50 years, at exactly the time when opportunities for microgeneration and local distribution network are stronger than ever. |
4. Undermining energy efficiency - a new nuclear programme would give out the wrong signal to consumers and businesses, implying that a major technological fix is all that's required, weakening the urgent action needed on energy efficiency. |
5. International security - if the UK brings forward a new nuclear power programme, we cannot deny other countries the same technology (under the terms of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change). With lower safety standards, they run higher risks of accidents, radiation exposure, proliferation and terrorist attacks. |
On balance, the SDC finds that these problems outweigh the advantages of nuclear. However, the SDC does not rule out further research into new nuclear technologies and pursuing answers to the waste problem, as future technological developments may justify a re-examination of the issue.
Publications
Full SDC position paper
» The role of nuclear power in a low carbon economy
A commentary by Jonathon Porritt
» Is nuclear the answer?
Latest Comment
» Public engagement and nuclear power
Your questions answered
» Nuclear Q&A
Or order your free hard copies
Evidence Base Papers
Paper 1: - An introduction to nuclear power - science, technology and UK policy context
Paper 2: - Reducing CO2 emissions - nuclear and the alternatives
Paper 3: - Landscape, environment and community impacts of nuclear power
Paper 4: - The economics of nuclear power
Paper 5: - Waste and decommissioning
Paper 6: - Safety and security
Paper 7: - Public perceptions and community issues
Paper 8: - Uranium resource availability
 | An interview with Jonathon Porritt |
» Full press release
» News story
» Read more about the SDC's energy policy work
» Read more about the SDC's climate change work
Do you agree with the SDC's position on nuclear power? Have your say in our online debate.
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