Should the UK build more Nuclear Power Stations?

Question

We are running out of UK sourced gas to provide power, we've shut down most of our coal mines. Our nuclear power stations are coming to the end of their lives. We need new sources of power. Sure we need renewables - wind, wave, solar, bio-gas etc. But will that be enough? I agrtee with the leading environmentalist leader of the Gaia movement that we do need new nuclear power stations. It's just a pity it will be built by the French!!!!

Answer 1

Yes, And america needs more too..

I would LOVE to supply all energy from solar, wind, geothermal, and hydro power.. But the reality is... Nuclear power is a very good aternative, at a significant cost savings, which works anywhere, with NO greenhouse gas emmissions..

Why we dont use it more already confuses me..

Yeah so it produces nuclear waste...

So does our city hospital... No one protests that...

So does a smoke detector factory... No one protests that either..

So does the earth *in the form of radon* which actually is the second leading cause of lung cancer.... And yet people dont buy the 20 dollar test kit to make sure their home isnt one of them harboring this natural nuclear waste. *its uranium in the soil breaking down naturaly

Go flippin figure...

Gotta love eco-nuts

Answer 2

THE UK SHOULD NOT BUILD MORE NUCLEAR PWER STATIONS!
From the history behind Selafield and its disgusting out put of toxic waste not to mention it dumping it in the Irish sea is a disaster for the surrounding nations for the future.
The UK and Tony Blair should be researching more renewable means of power, such as wind and water and solar energy, how can we obtain a future for our children when there is a constant grim reaper waiting in the shadows, that is what nuclear power can only offer in the long run not to mention the increase effect it will have on global warming, the research behind Selafields safety protocols and mishaps over the past 10 yrs proves my point, not to mention the amount of coastal towns along the Irish coast that have had an increase in cancer and leukaemia deaths and births over the past 20 yrs! Nuclear toxic waste takes billions of yrs to degrade and breakdown and just how is it supposed to be stored, because putting it in a hole in the ground won’t make it go away!
If we want a future for our children and this planet we should be putting more tax money and research in to the scientific means of energy such as Cold Fusion, if the science world was funded more and had more access to funds on a multi million £ basis the chances are it could become a reality give or take 20 odd yrs.

But no mankind always opts for the easy way out.bloodie typical! You should take a look at the USA and their Nuclear power plants out put and remember that they are the cause of the biggest pollution in the world.
I also strongly object on the means of safety. Every issue in regards to the fact that the UK is a target for terrorist organizations and that it is also a multi cultural nation, which houses these terrorists! If a Power plant was to be targeted it would wipe not only the UK but France, Ireland, The Netherlands and Other Scandinavian countries off the face of the planet turning them to giant desert’s with nothing remaining but the bones of its people. Just take a look at Chernobyl to understand that…

Answer 3

Yes, I think France gets around 80% of its total energy supply from nuclear power whereas the UK is only around 20%. We need to become less dependant, as our oil, gas and coal supplies are running out, on the increasingly unstable countries who control the oil. In addition as 3rd world countries, such as china, become more industrialised and richer they will consume more energy and so drive up prices of fossil fuels further.

Wind energy produces comparatively little energy and would require vast amounts of land relative to a nuclear power station. Solar energy is expensive and not ideal as the UK doesn't always get enough sun to supply year round energy.

People who say using ethanol would be a solution for powering cars are wrong. To produce ethanol requires an equal amount of fossil fuels hence you are actually consuming twice the amount of energy. You have to remember the energy cost of ethanol comes from its conversion but also from ensuring the land where it is grow remains fertile; which is a large energy drain.

Having them built by the French is not bad as they have the most nuclear power stations per population and so have advanced tech whereas, due to political pressure the UK has not developed as swiftly. I'm sure you will be pleased to know that Frances biggest and most outstanding bridge was designed by an Englishman, so hopefully your patriotic tendency will be satisfied!

Answer 4

No to nuclear. Doubt our civilisation will last long enough to monitor nuclear waste dumps until safe.

Take a look at www.trex-uk.org.uk/
Collect heat from hot deserts using mirrors convert to electricity send across Europe using a new HVDC supergrid. Result abundant cheap power, revenue for poor countries and waste heat used to desalinate sea water and grow crops under the mirrors.

Problem getting enormous start up money to put the plants and grid in place. Might be feasible though. Governments always seem to favour big money solutions when a lot of small and varied ones make more sense. Easier to disguise the kickbacks in big schemes.

Answer 5

Absolutely, It's cheap and clean. I think the whole world should have access to nuclear power. But it should be governed by someone like the IA-EA. It should be done in such a way that the spent fuel couldn't be used by any government to make weapons with. Therefore countries such as Iran would have no legitimate need to control such a volatile form of energy.

Answer 6

No way they should build more blasted nuclear stations,whats wrong with wind power.Wind power people say they are eyesores and blots on the landscape,they might be.At least they can be put in places out of the way and they are not likely to leak and kill masses of people.

Answer 7

Any nuclear disasters would end up affecting Ireland more than the UK. We got so much radiation from Chernobyl it's just crazy. Cancer is one of our biggest killers. Not that the British government give a f*** what happens to us.

Answer 8

Yes...but the French???

We all need to ween ourselves off carbon fuels.

Answer 9

Yes i think so but try to have more things that don't harm the enviroment.

Answer 10

yes if you do not want the lights to go out