By Andrej Nosko
Czech ambassador-at-large for energy Bartuska recently compared European countries' nuclear power policy to people, that want to legalize marijuana, while half of them already smoking in private, being afraid to admit it in public. In this post I look at three of these smokers - Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia.
Czech Republic, Slovakia as well as Hungary are experienced 'smokers.' Generating around 40%, 55% and around 40% of their electricity by nuclear respectively.
Czech Republic has two nuclear power plant (NPP) sites - Dukovany (2x WWER 440 / V213) and Temelín (2x WWER 1000). Slovakia has had two NPPs Jaslovské Bohunice (WWER 440 / V213) last two of its five units are scheduled for shutdown by the end of 2008 after the political decision during the EU accession negotiations; and Mochovce with two units functioning (WWER 440 / V213) and two more units foreseen to be completed in 2012 and 2013 respectively doubling its overall capacity. Hungary has a single NPP site at Paks, operating four WWER 440/V213 units (one of which was bought from Poland, after its nearly completed Żarnowiec NPP was abandoned)
The renewed interest in nuclear is not confined to CEE countries, whole world is reconsidering nuclear, since, although leaving many questions open, it currently is the only commercially tested and viable technology that provides CO2 free alternative to fossil fuels.
The debate was stirred-up again just before the Brussels summer holidays at July 2, 2008 conference, when Known supporter of nuclear energy, Hungarian MEP Edit Herczog (MSZP) mentioned that Hungary should increase its nuclear potential.
This comes at the same time as Czech ČEZ announced that it would double the capacity of its Temelín NPP, and Slovak PM mentioned at various occasions that political decision to close Bohunice NPP should be reconsidered, or a new NPP should be constructed at the site, as well as at other sites.
These moves are not limited to our three regional 'smokers,' Italy, country that shut down its NPPs after a referendum in 1987 has announced that it would go nuclear again. Poland, which after a local referendum suspended construction of its first NPP seems to be reconsidering its anti-nuclear stance and should join the 'smokers' club by 2020.
Although nuclear is currently the only viable solution if EU is to stay true to its aims of cutting the CE2 emissions, it is not without problems. Most of the EU countries have not considered answers to the question of spent fuel and associated waste. Also the question of nuclear proliferation is one that needs to be taken very seriously. Nonetheless, just like with the smoking, pretending that it doesn't happen is not helpful, we need to talk about the associated problems and weight the solutions.
EDITED 18/12/2008:
On December 18, 2008 Slovak government announced its selection of Czech national energy champion CEZ, as its strategic partner for construction of the 5th unit. This should be done by a common company with shares of 49%CEZ and 51% Slovak government to be set-up next year. New NPP unit should be operational in 2020. Minister of economy Jahnatek mentioned 7 points criteria for selection, including (quoting Minister Jahnatek):
- ability and experience with building 3rd generation reactors
- whether the company is vertically established in Slovakia
- opportunities and ability in terms of dynamic stability of transport network and grid
- sufficient financial backing
Minister mentioned EdF and Enel as trailing in the second group behind CEZ, according to government information, 10 companies were in the selection process.
The event gain attention in Slovak news primarily through the voiced criticism of government for not announcing a open competition, or transparent selection of this strategic partner.
Aug 16, 2008
Nuclear Energy revival in Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary
May 27, 2008
The Renaissance of A Nuclear Option?
By Petr Lang, PERG guest author and PSSI Program Coordinator
As the oil prices are skyrocketing and biofuels have recently lost much of their charm due to their partial impact on rising food prices, the majority of participants of the second European Nuclear Energy Forum, which took place on May 22-23 in Prague, might have been expected to wax lyrical about the bright future of their industry. However that was not the case. Not because they have lost their drive for increasing the proportion of the nuclear energy in the European energy mix, they are certain about that indeed.
As CEO of Areva Anne Lauvergeon put it, whatever you think, we are going to go nuclear. The reasons for such an assertive statement are well known: EU energy consumption is increasing and EU has obliged itself to a substantial reduction of carbon dioxide emissions in the coming years. Add the feeling of insecurity surrounding the imports of natural gas from Russia and the nuclear renaissance will seem inevitable. These arguments were continuously repeated during the forum. Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek added the novel argument to the toolbox of nuclear aficionados, when he cited Andrei Sakharov, who once wrote that the nuclear energy is the only chance for the West to stay free and secure. Should we stick to this assumption, the future of European security and freedom will look uncertain, because as Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg soberly mentioned, we will have to wait for the nuclear renaissance for some time to come. There are several factors delaying the return of the nuclear age.
First, EU has only recently started to overcome the nuclear hangover caused by the Chernobyl disaster. The presence of the President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso at the European Nuclear Energy Forum was maybe the most important point of the whole session, although rather symbolic. The European Commission is at pains to stress that it is up to every member state to choose the structure of its energy mix, including nuclear energy, deliberately refusing to either bless the nuclear option or doom it for good. Mr Barroso called for a greater cooperation among EU institutions and member states with nuclear facilities (15 EU countries operate commercial nuclear power plants) to establish common framework for nuclear waste management, security standards etc. Compared to the flood of initiatives and subsidies fueling the recent biofuels bonanza in the EU, the nuclear industry might feel like the Cinderella. Even if the Commission decided to pledge its support for the nuclear option, it would take some time to get the business back to pre-Chernobyl levels.
Furthermore, the nuclear industry is experiencing the same problems as the oil business. The majority of skilled professionals is nearing the retirement age, and the universities cannot fill this gap immediately, although the situation is getting better according to Jean-Pierre Le Roux, Vice Chairman of French Atomic Energy. The time factor plays also crucial role because the nuclear power plants cannot be built as quickly as their gas or coal fueled alternatives. Should the new nuclear power plants get operational by 2020 and thus help the EU to fulfill its environmental plans, the construction would need to start soon.
The last and maybe the most important factor inhibiting the nuclear boom is uncertainty. The construction of the power plant is very expensive and the operator needs some safeguards that it will not be forced to close the shop because of the sudden change in political or popular mood. This weakness was exploited by the representative of Friends of Earth Patricia Lorenz who said that when so rationally oriented entities as investment banks have their doubts about the nuclear energy, why should this industry get support from the governments whose primary responsibility is the well-being of its citizens?
Needless to say, there were not so many antinuclear participants at the forum, but the environmentalist rhetoric was omnipresent as the fight against the global warming may be the decisive element triggering the nuclear renaissance in EU. In the appeal to the European Commission the participants recommend the Commission “to declare nuclear energy as a low carbon and emission free energy generation technology, with positive impact on environment and sustainable development.” Furthermore, “as an expression of responsibility of the EU in fighting climate change [the EC is recommended] to declare unambiguous support to nuclear energy as a way to fulfill EU targets in lowering emissions gases by 20% by 2020.” This wording points to win-win situation. If the nuclear option gets such an acknowledgment, the investors will be more willing to open their wallets and the EU will be able to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions much more easily.
The second European Nuclear Energy Forum was not designed as a discussion of the pros and cons of nuclear energy (the opponents were clearly outnumbered by the supporters) but as a rapprochement towards the European Commission and EU institutions in general. Given the fact that over the next twelve months EU will be presided by France and the Czech Republic, who generally support the nuclear renaissance, there is a chance that the Atomium in Brussels will shine brighter than ever.
May 22, 2008
European Nuclear Forum is like a “Legalize Marijuana” club
By Andrej Nosko
Czech economic daily E15, in May published an interview with my favorite Czech Ambassador-at-Large for Energy Security Václav Bartuška. In his as usually very sobering remarks, Bartuška talks about short-sightedness of management of Czech energy company subsidiaries, energy policies in Europe and need for an energy crisis in Europe as a 'wake-up' call.
Although, as usually, Ambassador Bartuska's comments would be worth translating in full. There are two comments that deserve translation for the non Czech reader above all other:
The first one is regarding the Nuclear Energy in Europe:
Original:
"[Jaderné] fórum připomíná takovou schůzku lidí, kteří chtějí prosadit legalizaci marihuany. Půlka z nich už tak potají pokuřuje na záchodě a bojí se to říct na veřejnosti."
My translation: "[Nuclear] forum reminds me of a gathering of people, that would like to legalize marijuana. Half of them smokes in private in the bathroom and is afraid to say that in public."
The second one concerns the problem of energy policy in Europe:
Original: “Evropa potřebuje týdenní blackout. Ne pětihodinový, týdenní. Aby to maso pochodovalo z mrazáku. Protože týdenní výpadek proudu vám maže civilizaci”
My translation:
“Europe needs a week-long blackout. Not five-hour, a week-long. So that the meat would walk out of the freezer. Because week-long blackout starts to erase civilization”
Further comments are not necessary.
If you'd like to read more, check out my presentation at Prague Security Studies' Summer School in Telč, and especially slides 35 and 37, but the included videos on slides 30-32 might be instructive as well.
