The effect of a nuclear energy expansion strategy in Europe on health damages from air pollution

Potential benefits for air quality in Europe from nuclear energy

The capacity of nuclear energy to generate carbon-free electricity has put it back on the agenda despite the objections against nuclear energy, of which the main ones are the risks of accidents, proliferation, and long-term waste disposal. In June 2006, the Social and Economic Council of the Netherlands (SER) issued an advisory report "Naar een kansrijk en duurzaam energiebeleid" (06/10) containing recommendations for a sustainable energy system in the Netherlands. The SER planned a fact-finding study of ECN that brings together the facts and figures of nuclear power. The SER will use this fact-finding study to finalize an advisory report before 2008 on the potential role of nuclear energy. This MNP-report aims to contribute to this discussion by adding a new element.

Electricity producers will have an increasing incentive to build nuclear plants

Electricity producers will have an increasing incentive to build nuclear plants with an increasing permit price for CO₂. Nuclear energy is back on the political agenda. The future of nuclear power is controversial, and despite the challenges it faces, it is one of the options for Europe to meet future energy needs without emitting carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other atmospheric pollutants. This report analyzes the consequences for a free market for nuclear power plants in the European Union, especially its effect on health damages from air pollution. Model results show that if the nuclear capacity in the EU is extended, this will likely reduce the demand for coal (and not renewable energy carriers). In the climate-action/nuclear expansion scenario we project an increase of 45% in nuclear electricity generation by 2030 compared to the climate action scenario.

Replacing coal plants by nuclear power plants improves air quality but ...

Replacing coal plants by nuclear power plants improves air quality in Europe but sustainable solutions for proliferation risks and long term waste disposal facilities are lacking.

This analysis shows that the benefits of nuclear energy in terms of reduced climate change and air pollution amount to 0.5 cent per kWh. This 0.5 cent per KWh equals approximately 10% of the electricity production price with nuclear power. There are no sound estimates of the costs covering the long term nuclear waste disposal and proliferation. Current expenses on waste management amount to 0.1 cent per KWh. This study suggests there is room for investment in long term waste disposal, if solutions emerge. However, this is not a full scale cost-benefit analysis and we doubt whether aspects like proliferation and long term waste disposal can be quantified. Hence, ultimately a political decision on nuclear energy cannot solely be based on a full or partial cost-benefit analysis.

More information

to the report: "Naar een kansrijk en duurzaam energiebeleid" (in Dutch)