User talk:Andrewa/Nuclear power phase-out
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[edit] Introduction
Installed nuclear capacity rose relatively quickly since the 1950s. Since the late 1980s capacity has risen much more slowly, reaching 366 GW in 2005, primarily due to Chinese expansion of nuclear power. Between around 1970 and 1990, more than 50 GW of capacity was under construction (peaking at over 150 GW in the late 70s and early 80s). More than two-thirds of all nuclear plants ordered after January 1970 were eventually cancelled.[1] In 1983 an unexpected fall in fossil fuel prices stopped most new construction of nuclear power plants. In the 1980s (US) and 1990s (Europe), electricity liberalization also played a part in increasing the financial risks of investing in nuclear power. Electricity generated from nuclear power plants greatly decreases greenhouse gases compared to coal fired electricity generation and its supporters claim it to be one of the most inexpensive and environmentally friendly means of electrical power generation.
A popular movement against nuclear power also gained strength in the Western world, based on the fear of a possible nuclear accident and on fears of latent radiation. The 1979 accident at Three Mile Island and the 1986 Chernobyl accident also played a key role in stopping new plant construction in many countries.
Several countries, especially European countries have abandoned the use of nuclear energy since 1987. Austria (1978), Sweden (1980) and Italy (1987) voted in referendums to oppose or phase out nuclear power, while opposition in Ireland prevented a nuclear programme there. Countries that have no nuclear plants and have restricted new plant constructions comprise Australia, Austria, Denmark, Greece, Ireland and Norway. Poland stopped the construction of a plant. Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, and Sweden decided not to build new plants or intend to phase out nuclear power, although still mostly relying on nuclear energy. Switzerland has had a moratorium on the construction of nuclear power plants for ten years, but in a referendum 2003 it was decided not to renew it.
The parliamentary decision in 2002 in Finland to build a fifth nuclear power station was seen as very significant in that it was the first such decision to build a new nuclear power plant in Western Europe for more than a decade.[9]
Nuclear power still continued in many other countries, notably France which relies heavily on safe nuclear power generation, Japan, the former USSR and recently China. The U.S. is planning new plants. Around 25 GW of capacity is planned. Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Finland, India, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Pakistan, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Ukraine, Romania, Slovak Republic, Turkey, Bulgaria, Egypt, Indonesia and the U.S. are currently planning or building new nuclear reactors or reopening old ones.[10][11][12]
According to IAEA, nuclear power is projected to increase slightly to 17% share of world electricity production in 2020. This would be accomplished by instaling 60 new plants in next 15 years.[13][14] (see future energy development)
If countries shut down nuclear power plants they have to find alternatives for energy generation if they don't want to become dependent on imports. Therefore, the discussion of a future for nuclear energy is intertwined with a discussion of renewable energy development. The most discussed alternatives to nuclear power include hydroelectricity, fossil energy, solar energy, and biomass. (see also alternative energy)
