Part 2 of 2 Parts (Please read Part 1 first)
Many E.U. members are concerned about Hungary’s nuclear project because of Russia’s involvement. Other E.U. countries are against bringing any new nuclear projects online. Slovakia has announced plans to shift its nuclear commitment in its plans for the Mochovce power plant. It was constructed by the Soviet Union in the 1980s. A new nuclear reactor is currently being prepared to go operational in 2023. It will generate four hundred and seventy-one megawatts of power. If all goes according to plan, it will provide thirteen percent of Slovakia’s electricity needs which will make the country self-sufficient. However, neighboring Austria is staunchly opposed to the development due to the high costs involved in terms of both money and radioactive waste. Austria is also worried that Slovakia will be reliant on Russia for uranium fuel. About one fifth of E.U.’s uranium comes from Russia. Public opinion on nuclear power is seriously divided with sixty percent of Slovakians believing that nuclear power is safe. Seventy percent of Austrians do not agree.
Currently, thirteen of the E.U.’s twenty-seven members generate electricity with nuclear power. Several others are not ready to accept nuclear power into the energy mix in spite of the current energy crisis. Germany has delayed the phaseout of its nuclear power plants. Other E.U. members are bringing new nuclear reactors online. Some analysts and critics do not believe that we are witnessing a nuclear renaissance. In spite on the Russia-Ukraine war creating a regional energy crisis, European governments have generally taken little action to shift their existing policies on nuclear plans. This suggests that a move to nuclear power may be exaggerated.
Nicolas Berghmans is an energy and climate expert at the France-based Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI). He explained that “We’re not talking about a nuclear renaissance, as such… but maybe more of a change of tide. A real nuclear renaissance would be if Europe decides to invest in more nuclear power plants.”
Mark Hibbs is with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (CEIP). He suggested, “I don’t see a major watershed from what’s happening in Ukraine… Instead, the situation has reinforced some trends among countries already bought into nuclear energy, while slowing some opponents’ phase-outs of the technology.”
While some may believe that there is a renaissance of nuclear energy, others disagree. The recent energy crisis has attracted greater attention to nuclear power. Some major powers are accelerating existing plans for nuclear plants. Others are showing an openness to diversifying their energy mix further through nuclear projects.