Nuclear energy
Giving you energy with a bang!
Nuclear energy in general
Waste in UK
Waste is surprisingly low
All of the UK’s nuclear waste is securely contained with an ever-increasing amount being solidified to make it suitable for long-term management. Other countries have already demonstrated how safe and secure long-term management and permanent disposal of nuclear waste is feasible. Countries such as Finland and Sweden are in the process of constructing deep geological radioactive waste disposal sites, following successful Government and public consultation.
How nuclear energy affects the government
The price of fuel represents a small fraction of the total operating costs for nuclear power. As a result, these costs are stable and predictable, unlike fossil fuels where prices can fluctuate.
For both nuclear and renewables, the economics are dominated by the construction costs. Government analysis shows nuclear to be the cheapest form of low carbon electricity generation.
Nuclear is low carbonated energy
Nuclear energy is efficient
In comparison to a traditional fossil fuel such as coal, nuclear fuel generates millions of times more power. For example 1kg of coal would power a 60 watt light bulb for four days. In comparison, nuclear would power the same bulb for 685 years.
Nuclear also saves billions of tonnes of CO₂ emissions. Compared to coal, the power generated by existing nuclear power stations avoids 40 million tonnes of CO₂ per year – the equivalent to taking half of Britain’s cars of the roads.
The health effects of such a dramatic reduction in fossil fuels are measureable. A recent paper reported in WNN said 1.8 million lives have been saved through the use of nuclear power instead of a representative mix of coal and gas.