Nuclear power returned in anxiety

In the context of rising oil prices, more and more countries are considering switching to nuclear power, despite concerns about safety, pollution levels and expensive costs.

Nuclear power plants have the advantage of producing less CO2, but radioactive waste from them is dangerous if not stored properly. Not to mention it takes 10 years to build a nuclear power plant, while coal-fired power plants only take four years.

With such limitations, there was a time when nuclear power solution was put behind other energy sources such as hydropower, solar energy . But before the situation of high oil prices, plus the anti-brand war With increasing greenhouse gas emissions, nuclear power is being mentioned as a viable option.

Race to build a factory

According to AFP news agency, there are 442 nuclear reactors in the world at 201 power plants, concentrated in 31 countries, the most US (104), France (58) and Japan (55). This number is expected to increase in the next decade because there are more than 100 reactors or are under construction, or are still on drafts and orders.

Build a new nuclear power plant in France.(Photo: TTO)

AP sources said half of them come from developing countries. Argentina, Brazil and South Africa are contemplating expanding operations of existing plants, while Thailand, Egypt, Turkey, Libya . are considering building the first reactors. China in the face of rising energy consumption is also rushing to build 30 more nuclear power plants next to 11 operating plants. India also wants to develop nuclear power, but it cannot be reassured because it must first sign an agreement with the International Nuclear Energy Agency (IAEA), pledging not to use those facilities to provide materials for the Universe atomic gas.

Not only developing countries, developed countries like Britain are also actively participating in this race. On January 10, the UK approved a plan to build a new generation of nuclear power plants, bringing excitement to many energy-building corporations but causing many concerns for ecologists. Study and residents live near the factory area. New generation plants will replace existing ones and are expected to be closed by 2033. In Finland, a nuclear power plant is under construction, and the US also claims to build more houses. machines in the future.

Suspicious anxiety

The IAEA estimates that nuclear energy could double in the next two decades, reaching 691 gigawatts, accounting for 13.3% of the total electricity produced worldwide."We are facing a nuclear revival. The nucleus is no longer evil. The devil is now coal," said Anne Lauvergeon, executive director of Avera French Atomic Energy Company. dad.

That may be true for developed countries with professional construction and management levels like Britain, France, and the United States, but countries that are new to nuclear power, this source of energy may be a double-edged sword. Philippe Jamet, director of the IAEA's nuclear installation safety division, said countries that are unfamiliar or are familiar with nuclear power must be very cautious, because we can learn from mistakes in the fields. but with nuclear power is not. Each mistake associated with human life belongs not only one generation.

Although developing countries claim they are ready for all the challenges, reports on the number of mining crashes in China, or Indian work accidents, make people worry about Old habits can affect safety during operation. That's not to mention strict requirements for storing radioactive waste, which can last for tens of thousands of years, and then require compliance with the principle of closing factories when they are no longer safe. . Professor Carl Thayer, of the Australian Defense Force Academy, commented: "There are certainly special concerns for developing countries. It may be a downfall of standards, and that picture enjoy all stages in the atomic field, from the procurement of raw materials to the process of application, construction and operation of the factory ".

THANH TRUC