The Netherlands, Facing Energy And Climate Crises, Bets On A Nuclear Revival

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  1. >Advocates of nuclear power point to the United Arab Emirates’ Barakah Nuclear Power Plant as a sign that an industry revival is possible. Despite starting construction in 2011 just after the Fukushima accident, the $24 billion station in the Abu Dhabi desert completed construction on its third reactor last November.

    >“They will not be connected to grids until 2034 or 2035, which means we’re spending 5 billion euros at least, maybe more, for climate solutions that will not be a climate solution for the next 13 to 14 years,” Haverkamp said.

    It’s almost guaranteed to be more. 10 billion per reactor is more realistic( thats a bit above the UAE figure, but as the article laid out, legal challenges will delay the project almost certainly.

    >“Therefore I believe that small nuclear reactors can be a worthwhile addition to the nuclear mix, as those plants could operate before 2030.”

    The most advanced SMRs are from China. Making a long-term partnership equally as questionable.

    European and American designs are unlikely to be deployable before 2030.

    Winning strategy:

    Wait for SMRs, then when they are available decide that renewables have advanced enough that nuclear power doesn’t make sense at all.

    Also:

    >the country [Netherlands] does not have the vast volcanic heat resources of nearby Iceland.

    lol.

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