23-10-05
The European atomic forum, FORATOM, says
there are strong economic and environmental arguments for building more nuclear
power plants in Europe and other regions of the world. The Brussels-based
FORATOM, the voice of the nuclear industry in Europe, says in an information
file that there are more than 150 nuclear power reactors in operation across the
EU.
For many years, about one third of all the electricity produced in the EU has
been nuclear-generated. When the EU grew from 15 to 25 member states on 1 May
2004, the number of EU nations using nuclear energy rose from 8 to 13.
They rely on nuclear for electricity to varying degrees. For instance, the
nuclear share in total generation is as high as 80 % and 78 % in Lithuania and
France respectively, and as low as 4 % in The Netherlands. The power plants
operate safely and reliably, producing large amounts of electricity at
competitive prices. They are environmentally friendly, as they emit no
greenhouse or acid rain gases and their waste is safely managed.
The nuclear industry thereby makes a valuable contribution towards achieving
Europe's economic, energy supply and environmental objectives, says FORATOM.
The nuclear energy option should be kept open and nuclear expertise should be
retained, in order to:
-- achieve a viable and diverse energy mix
-- control airborne pollution and hold down emissions of CO2 -- the main
greenhouse gas
-- maintain security of energy supply and some level of energy independence
-- promote economic development and employment.
FORATOM is organizing an international conference on the theme ''Nuclear energy
: Riding the winds of change '' in Brussels in March next year.
Nuclear power reactors in EU
EU member states -- Number of units
Belgium 7
Czech Republic 6
Finland 4
France 59
Germany 18
Hungary 4
Lithuania 2
The Netherlands 1
Slovak Republic 6
Slovenia 1
Spain 9
Sweden 11
UK 27
====
Total 155
EU accession states
Bulgaria 4
Romania 1
Source: www.keralanext.com