When I was young and idealistic, I was strongly anti-nuclear. However over the last few years I had slowly come around to the opinion that it was a manageable risk, and should not be automatically ruled out. However, recent events in Japan have now put me firmly back in the anti-nuclear camp.
Wales has two nuclear sites, one at Wylfa and the other now disused at Trawsfynydd. Both of these sites are remote, and while an accident would have a huge impact on the local areas they would have only a limited impact on the national economy. However, the same can not be said of the English nuclear site at Hinckley Point in Somerset, which is only 15 miles from Barry, and 20 miles from Cardiff.
I used to think that the chances of a nuclear accident were so remote as to make it a theoretical concept only, but the Japanese tsunami has clearly demonstrated how a theoretical possibility can quickly become a horrific reality. What makes this even more alarming, is the fact that tsunamis are not just theoretically possible in the Severn estuary – they are a proven historical fact.
In 1607 a tsunami estimated at 6m height swept up the Severn estuary, killing thousands of people in the low-lying (and then relatively lightly populated) areas of south Carmarthenshire, south Gwent and north Somerset. Apart from the absolute devastation to our cities and towns that such a wave would cause today, it would also take out the Hinckley Point site.In nuclear terms, 20 miles is a very short distance , and it would quickly turn a natural disaster into a man-made catastrophe which could require the long term evacuation of half a million people around our capital.
While we must aim to take control over Welsh energy sources, we must not forget the very real threat posed by nuclear power from outside our borders, and should lobby to prevent further expansion at Hinckley Point.
Well said, even if it wasn't a Tsunami (and the evidence is strongly that it was) then it was a once in 500 year storm surge, and guess what - one is about due...
ReplyDeleteNuclear power has a low carbon reputation, which ignores the cost of mining and refining the raw material, which is substantial in carbon units. To say nothing of the cash cost of disposing of the waste (something currently just stockpiled) and the ultimate cost of dismantling. Wales has huge potential clean energy resources. Offshore wind, tidal lagoons, HEP and yes even land based wind power we have in abundance. Building standards should be altered to mandate photovoltaic and/or solar thermal panels, large developments should look to district heating schemes, insulation should aim to be of the highest quality. We know that energy prices will soar - and squeezing the energy companies profits will make little difference to that. We have the opportunity to lead on this, but yet again it looks as if we will not be able to do so.