Ireland needs to consider lifting the ban on nuclear energy as we struggle to meet the electricity needs of our industries, a nuclear power lobbyist has warned.
The head of a global nuclear energy watchdog, Rafael Mariano Grossi, asked Ireland to reconsider its ban on nuclear energy at the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference - COP 29 - arguing the country needs a clean power supply.
On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, 18 for 0 co-founder, Denis Duff, said Mr Grossi has “already seen” that Ireland “does not have enough electricity to power its industry”.
“What he didn't say, and is obviously clear, is that Ireland has the most expensive electricity in the European Union, and those prices have no chance of coming down given the current plan,” he said.
“We're in favour of the current plan, but we must be honest with the people who say the prices are going to go up, the plan may not work because it involves so many technologies that don't actually exist at the moment.
“And finally, it also requires an unprecedented build out of the grid and wind and solar wind farms and solar farms, which have often proved to be very unpopular, so may not be implementable.”
Safety
Also on the show, Anti-Nuclear Movement member Neil McCann said he is worried about the “safety” around nuclear energy.
“This is entirely about safety, and it's not just in connection with Ireland, but in connection with all of the countries who operate nuclear power plants,” he said.
“Of course, the war in Ukraine and the risk that was posed by the Zaporizhzhya plant really highlights the issues that are involved here.”
"Inappropriate"
Mr McCann said he thinks “it’s quite inappropriate” for Mr Grossi to be “recommending our policy scenarios” as to how Ireland produces electricity.
“It's a matter of Irish law and the commentators will know this, that we cannot have a nuclear power plant,” he said.
“When you start putting in nuclear facilities, you're really stuck with them for generations to come.
“The nuclear waste problem is an existential and immediate issue for the whole world, and that the nuclear waste is not being processed.”
Mr McCann said he thinks the COP are now “lobbyists”.
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