A Greener Nuclear Future?
Ireland Going Nuclear may not be such a remote possibility that such Green luminaries as John O’Gorman might like to think.
Given current energy considerations such as peak oil and the fact that Ireland is at the end of a very long Gas distribution pipeline network that for all intents and purposes Russia controls at will.
As has already been seen in the recent past, Russia often uses this facility (conveniently during winter) to let Europe know who controls the tap, especially when you dont like vocal comments or criticism being made about invading neighbour states.
Given these considerations and that Green house gasses are still rising Natural Gas can no longer be seen as a green or safe supply alternative.
Oil and Coal are much less of a green option given the high carbon content of coal and the rising costs of Oil- which as previously mentioned is at (depending on your viewpoint), or already past peak which inevitably means higher cost which will eventually diminish in supply to the point of being a non viable fuel alternative in a strategic or national energy supply sense
What about wind turbines?
Yes Wind turbines do help but we have too few and they do not as yet supply in either quantity or reliable amounts the energy that Ireland needs. Alternatives are being explored including wave power, but these will take time to come on stream-so to speak.
This brings us back to Nuclear- how moral is the argument for not using Nuclear electricity generated directly in Ireland if you are prepared to accept it being imported from Britain which is now building ten new nuclear power plants-seven of which will be located on the Western Irish Sea Cost of Britain.
We may not like Nuclear Power but in the cold dark winters ahead-it may be seen as the only bright light on the Horizon
