– The time has never been more ripe than now. We are on our way into a green shift where we will phase out fossil energy. Then nuclear power can play a very important role, says Sunniva Rose to news. She has a PhD in nuclear physics and is a nuclear power enthusiast. Since this summer, she has also been communications manager at Norsk kærnkraft AS – a new company with ambitions to expand nuclear power in Norway. – We will develop what are called small, modular reactors. These are series-produced reactors that are smaller than the typical “giga reactors”, which have recently been built in Finland, for example. Nuclear physicist Sunniva Rose has ambitions to expand nuclear power in Norway. Photo: Privat The young company, in which billionaire Trond Mohn is the main shareholder, will finance the power plants privately. But to do that they need the support of the politicians. – We do not want subsidies. But we need not be opposed. We are not going to ask about much else than that, says Rose. Several countries are betting on nuclear power again The world is now in an energy crisis. This has led to several countries once again strengthening their investment in nuclear power. Japan, which experienced a nuclear power accident at Fukushima 12 years ago, will now once again invest heavily in nuclear power. In our neighboring country Sweden, the new government has also promised 400 billion Swedish kroner in state guarantees for a large-scale development of nuclear power. Now Sunniva Rose wants Norway to be added to the list. – Many people associate nuclear power with life-threatening accidents. How can you ensure that production is safe? – Most people think of the Chernobyl accident. It was a very special type of reactor that was developed and built only in the old Soviet Union. We are not going to build this type of reactor, but reactors that are completely safe, says Rose. She says that Norsk kærnkraft AS will build a power plant the same size as the Ullevaal stadium. The area will include the surrounding safety zone. Even with the worst possible accident, it should be safe to live nearby, the nuclear physicist believes. – It has even been calculated that if all energy came from the type of modern nuclear power, one death per 315 years as a result of an accident can be expected. So there are extremely secure installations, she asserts. Young Conservative Party asks the parent party to say “yes” Young Conservative Leader Ola Svenneby believes there are good reasons to facilitate nuclear power in Norway. – We will need as much energy as possible. It is quite precarious now with high prices. But also in the future, when things will be electrified, and we will have a new and greener economy, we will need more energy. Svenneby points out that nuclear power is safe, that access can be regulated, and that it can ensure large energy production. Young Conservative leader Ola Svenneby will facilitate Norwegian production of nuclear power. He believes his own parent party is putting “sticks in the wheels”. Photo: Unge Høyre Now he wants the mother party Høyre to follow suit. At Høyre’s national meeting last year, the party agreed to investigate nuclear power in Norway, despite warnings from party leader Erna Solberg. – We have taken a step in the right direction, but I believe that one should go even further, and say yes to those who want to establish themselves, says Svenneby about the national assembly decision. The young Conservative leader believes that it generally “looks bad for politicians” to say no to private initiatives. – But at least it does not suit the Right to say no to new private power producers being allowed to do so. – Not a “quick fix” Right-wing leader Nikolai Astrup is positive about nuclear power as part of the Nordic and European “energy mix”. But there are several aspects of nuclear power that make the production not as well suited in Norway, he emphasizes. – Norway has very few comparative advantages regarding nuclear power. We also do not have storage solutions for waste in place. And it will cost a lot of money, also from the public sector, to help invest in waste solutions and other infrastructure. Conservative politician Nikolai Astrup believes that Norway does not have the best conditions for investing in nuclear power. Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB Astrup believes there are many who are now trying to create the impression that nuclear power is a “quick fix” to the energy challenges we face. – But it is obviously not. This is something that will take a long time. – But as long as this is a private initiative, with private investors taking the financial risk, why should the Conservative Party, as a business-friendly party, block them from being able to try their hand? – We do not block it. They are completely free to develop this concept further and apply for a licence. I’m just pointing out that this is probably a slightly longer canvas to bleach than what the company points to. – The best thing for them would perhaps be to start by investing in our neighboring country Sweden, he adds.
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– Are politicians bad at saying no – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
