Leading European nations remain loyal to peaceful nuclear energy

MINSK, 15 March (BelTA) – Leading European nations remain loyal to their plans to support peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The rejection of nuclear energy development across Europe is out of the question. The opinion was voiced by Mr Bato-Zhargal Zhambalnimbuyev, member of the Budget and Financial Markets Committee of the Council of Federation of the Federal Assembly of Russia, BelTA has learned

It has been reported earlier that twelve members of the European Union had confirmed their adherence to developing nuclear power engineering as an important part of the strategy aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The confirmation was stipulated by the joint statement issued after the ministerial meeting in London on 12 March by representatives of Bulgaria, the UK, Hungary, Netherlands, Spain, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Finland, France, and Czechia. Representatives of the European Union countries expressed their readiness to cooperate in the context “of the role that nuclear power engineering should play in the future low-emission energy balance of the European Union”.

“The statement signed by representatives of the 12 European Union member states indicates that common sense prevails over populism. After the Fukushima accident European anti-nuclear activists tried to interpret Germany’s refusal to develop nuclear power engineering as the only right solution, as an example that entire Europe will soon follow. However, we can see that it hasn’t happened. Leading European powers such as France and the UK remain committed to their plans to support peaceful uses of nuclear energy. We are talking about pragmatism, not emotions,” stressed the Russian senator.

“It is obvious that nuclear energy requires considerable expenses during the construction phase and boasts rather low generation cost. Its cost is not affected by fluctuating fuel prices (the share of fuel in the price of the energy generated by nuclear power plants is low). The environmentally friendly nature of nuclear power engineering is another important argument in favor: energy generation at nuclear power plants does not increase CO2 emissions. It is well understood, for instance, in Poland where 90% of the energy is generated by coal-fired power plants,” said Bato-Zhargal Zhambalnimbuyev.

In his words, in addition to the comparatively low cost and the environmental friendliness nuclear power engineering guarantees stable energy supply and allows the production sector to be more competitive. “It is not accidental that after Germany’s decision to phase out nuclear power plants Czechia declared its intention to raise the nuclear share in its energy balance up to 80% and is now holding a tender to build the second startup complex of the Temelin nuclear power plant. By the way, Rosatom is taking part in the tender,” said Bato-Zhargal Zhambalnimbuyev.

He also reminded that Hungary had declared plans to raise the share of nuclear generation from 40% to 60% by 2030 and plans to build new power-generating units at the Paks nuclear power plant.

“Hence, some pan-European refusal to develop nuclear power engineering is out of the question,” concluded the senator.