RENEWABLE & GREEN ENERGY
“ Wind and solar , while still requiring skilled personnel , generally have lower barriers to entry in terms of regulatory requirements and specialised knowledge . They also tend to face less public opposition compared to nuclear power , which can affect the speed and ease of project development .
“ The deployment of Small Modular Reactors ( SMRs ) and other innovative nuclear technologies may improve the economic and practical viability of nuclear power in the future , potentially making it more accessible to countries . However , the technology ’ s development remains modest .”
The nuclear-renewables mix Renewables aren ’ t just a comparable energy source when looking at nuclear – the two can be combined to provide a reliable and predictable , secure energy mix .
Nuclear can be utilised as a baseload power supply that can complement the intermittent nature of renewable sources , with nuclear ’ s reliability helping maintain grid stability and ensuring consistent electricity supply – even when weather conditions aren ’ t in renewable generation ’ s favour .
Nuclear energy boasts the highest capacity factor among all energy sources . A single large-scale nuclear reactor is capable of generating more than 1,600MW of power , substantially surpassing other low-carbon alternatives and establishing itself as an efficient method for producing vast quantities of clean electricity .
In contrast , hydropower – which has the next largest capacity – can generate
76 December 2024