There is no alternative but to keep trudging on the nuclear path. Of course there are dreamers out there who think God will keep the clouds away for their solar, and the wind will blow just right, not too fast, not too slow for the wind power. There is also "clean" coal. The reality is that we have no choice, and the more we spend time squabbling and appeasing some intellectually challenged people, the more we kill the earth.
Japan crisis hits global nuclear sector; may boost green power
SINGAPORE/HONG KONG - |
(Reuters) - Switzerland put on hold some approvals for nuclear power plants and Germany cast doubts about its industry after the Japanese nuclear crisis, raising questions over the future of the global sector.
Taiwan's state-run Taipower also said it was studying plans to cut nuclear power output.
The crisis at the quake-hit Fukushima nuclear power complex north of Tokyo is likely to increase opposition to major nuclear expansion in Europe and hurt a renaissance for the sector in the United States, which already has more than 100 reactors.
Swiss Energy Minister Doris Leuthard suspended the approvals process for three nuclear power stations so safety standards can be revisited after the crisis in Japan.
However, the disaster might give renewables and greener fuels such as LNG sector a boost in the quest for safer energy.
The crippled Japanese plant, near the epicenter of Friday's 8.9 magnitude quake, suffered a second explosion on Monday. Of Japan's 54 reactors, 11 are shut down because of the quake.
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said on Monday that a government decision to extend the life of the country's nuclear power stations could be suspended following the crisis in Japan.
Senator Joe Lieberman, who chairs the Senate's homeland security panel, said on Sunday the United States should "put the brakes on" new nuclear power plants until the impact of the incident in Japan became clear.
Simon Powell, head of sustainable research at CLSA in Hong Kong said: "I don't think nuclear is going to be done away with but it is likely that people's nuclear programs will be delayed as they question whether it is the right thing to," he said.
An executive at state-run utility Korea Electric Power Corp (KEPCO) said: "The nuclear power industry is likely to shrink due to Japan's nuclear accident."
"Rising opposition is seen in developed countries, although developing countries may see less opposition due to their shortage of power unless they reside in earthquake zones," the executive said.
Asia's insatiable appetite for electricity is however unlikely to derail nuclear programs but would likely lead to a reassessment of safety procedures or designs and a further diversification of energy sources.
Globally, renewable energy such as wind power could benefit in the medium term.
BOOST FOR GREEN POWER
KGI Asia analyst Jennifer Liang said the nuclear incident had strengthened the case for safer sources of renewable energy. But she also pointed to the current limitations of green energy.
