Write an article on
Nuclear power is a risky and expensive form of clean energy, but one that is important as we look to move away from fossil fuels. However, recent accidents and the rise of safer renewable energy have made this exceptional power source less attractive. Write an article in 100-150 words.
Answers
Explanation:
Energy is the engine of development and
prosperity. All countries need to secure
sufficient energy to drive economic growth
while working to mitigate the effects of
climate change.
Renewable sources of energy such as wind
and solar power will play an important role
in the future. At the same time, use of nuclear
power will need to increase to provide the
steady supply of baseload electricity. As
one of the lowest-carbon technologies for
generating electricity, nuclear power will also
help countries meet their goals of reducing
greenhouse gas emissions.
This edition of the IAEA Bulletin, published
for the International Ministerial Conference
on Nuclear Power in the 21st Century,
covers some of the most relevant topics on
nuclear power and its role in contributing to
sustainable development.
We highlight the way in which operators of
nuclear power plants in the United States
of America are seeking licence renewals
to extend operation beyond 60 years; how
China is undertaking the largest expansion of
a nuclear power programme of any country;
and why the United Arab Emirates has
embarked on a nuclear power programme.
Nuclear power plants require significant
upfront capital investment, but once they
are up and running, they are comparatively
inexpensive to operate. We examine the United
Kingdom’s model for financing nuclear power
plant construction as one example of how
financial risks can be managed.
Remarkable research is under way on a new
generation of nuclear reactors, which will
have inherent safety features, will be more
efficient and will generate less waste. The
latest developments in the field of small
modular reactors are explored on page 18.
The nuclear industry has been managing
waste disposal successfully for more than half
a century. Dozens of facilities for low-level
and intermediate-level nuclear waste are
in operation throughout the world. As far
as the long term management of high level
radioactive waste and spent fuel is concerned,
good progress has been made in recent years.
You can learn about Finland’s construction
of the first deep geological repository for
spent nuclear fuel, which is likely to become
operational early in the next decade.
In many countries that are considering
launching a nuclear power programme, public
acceptance remains an important issue. The
story on page 6 summarizes the approach
taken by Ghana and Kenya. Investing in
young people is important to bridge the skills
gap and sustain nuclear power in the future.
You can read about how the United Kingdom
is implementing programmes in this area.
Women in nuclear
This edition includes a special section
featuring eight exceptional women working
in the nuclear field. We are proud to highlight
their achievements and present their
perspectives.
I am confident that nuclear power will
make a growing contribution to sustainable
development in the coming decades. The
IAEA will play its part to assist countries in
the safe, efficient and sustainable use of this
remarkable resource.
(Photo: Expo 2017 Astana) (Photo: C. Brady/IAEA) (Photo: ITER)
“I am confident that
nuclear power will make
a growing contribution to
sustainable development
in the coming decades.
The IAEA will play its
part to assist countries
in the safe, efficient and
sustainable use of this
remarkable resource.”
— Yukiya Amano, Director General,
IAEA