32 eminent academics and authors refute the claim that “nuclear power is sustainable”
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Global investment in nuclear is in stark decline https://www.ft.com/content/75ea3180-0a02-11ea-bb52-34c8d9dc6d84 From Dr Paul Dorfman et al
We write in response to James E Hansen et al’s letter (“EU must include nuclear power in its list of sustainable sources”, December 17), which mistakenly advocates nuclear energy to address climate change. In fact, spending on new nuclear power significantly reduces our chances in effectively responding to climate change. This is because, for nuclear to be considered a feasible option, new reactors should be able to be completed economically, efficiently and on time — however, practical experience proves otherwise. Nuclear new-build represents a high-risk technical, regulatory and investment option, with significant delay and cost overrun. Market analysis shows investment in nuclear power to be uneconomic — this holds for all plausible ranges of investment costs, weighted average costs of capital, and wholesale electricity prices.
In the end, the fate of new nuclear seems inextricably linked with, and determined by, that of renewable energy technology rollout. Worldwide, market trends for new nuclear are in stark decline and renewables are markedly rising.
The, perhaps obvious, explanation for this dynamic can be found in the ramping costs of the former and the plummeting costs of the latter.
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https://www.ft.com/content/75ea3180-0a02-11ea-bb52-34c8d9dc6d84 AUTHORS:
Dr Paul Dorfman, UCL Energy Institute, University College London Prof Tom Burke, Imperial and University Colleges, E3G Prof MV Ramana, School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, University of British Columbia
Prof Benjamin K Sovacool, Science Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex
Prof Andy Stirling Centre on Social Technological and Environmental Pathways to Sustainability, University of Sussex
Prof Steve Thomas Public Services International Research Unit, University of Greenwich
Prof Keith Barnham Physics Department, Imperial College London
Prof David Elliott, The Open University Prof Mark Lemon, Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development, De Montfort University
Prof Manfred Mertins, Brandenburg University of Applied Sciences
Prof Benjamin K Sovacool, Science Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex
Prof Andy Stirling, Centre on Social Technological and Environmental Pathways to Sustainability, University of Sussex
Prof Steve Thomas, Public Services International Research Unit, University of Greenwich
Dr Abhishek Agarwal, Aberdeen Business School, Robert Gordon University
Dr Sarah J Darby, Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford
Dr John Downer, Global Insecurities Centre, University of Bristol
Dr Ian Fairlie, Vice President CND
Dr Phil Johnstone, Science Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex
Dr Pascal Hingamp, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography, Marseille University
Dr Dan van der Horst, School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh
Dr Helga Kromp-Kolb, Vienna University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, former Head of the Austrian Nuclear Advisory Board
Dr Jeremy Leggett, Solarcentury
Dr David Lowry, Institute for Resource and Security Studies, Cambridge Massachusetts
Dr med. Alex Rosen, IPPNW Germany
Dr Michael Schöppner, Vienna University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences
Dr Eva Stegen, Elektrizitätswerke Schönau, Energy Watch Group
Dr David Toke, Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Aberdeen
Cllr David Blackburn, UK and Ireland NFLA
Paul Brown, Climate News Network Eur Ing
Herbert Eppel, Chartered Environmentalist and Director of HE Translations Ltd
Friederike Frieß, MSc. Dr.rer.nat., Vienna University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences
Michel Lee, Council on Intelligent Energy & Conservation Policy
Jonathon Porritt, Author and Campaigner Ulli Sima, Vienna Deputy Mayor, Cities for a Nuclear Free Europe
David Thorpe, One Planet Life
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