Nuclear power is good for the planet. Nevertheless, this is not something for Norway, it is often said. After all, we have such good wind resources in this country. Hinting that nuclear power is part of the solution is almost seen as a declaration of bankruptcy. But it is practically impossible to double Norwegian electricity production with large-scale wind power development as our electricity grid is set up today. As the wind is unstable, it requires flexible energy sources when it is not blowing. What will actually take this role? Until now, hydropower with large reservoirs has secured our supplies, and ensured a certain flexibility. But there are few reserves left to take off. We therefore need more measures to ensure reserve power for wind power. One proposal that has been put on the table is large-scale upgrades in the capacity of existing hydropower plants. This will be done without getting any more energy into the grid. There will be a need to build a much larger power grid with significantly lower utilization in order to be able to transport the wind power away when it is windy and import it from other areas when the wind is calm. In this sense, it makes the wind power adventure extremely expensive, because there are enormous costs on top of the construction costs. This in turn can result in increased electricity prices and network rent for consumers. Our experience is that all new solutions come with trade-offs that must be assessed environmentally, technically and economically. It is in this context that nuclear power emerges as an opportunity. Need a new work horse To save on investment, we need a stable work horse that is at work 24 hours a day and can take more of the base load. Then we can relieve the hydropower, so that it can be used to a greater extent in interaction with the wind. The solution to this can be quite simple. Norway must invest in nuclear power. Then the consumers need to a much lesser extent to subsidize the wind power adventure’s system costs, as regards capacity upgrades in hydropower, which are assumed to be several hundred billion Norwegian kroner. At the same time, nuclear power can also contribute new stable energy into the system, which makes it pay for itself. Wind power is today seen as one of the hottest renewable natural resources. Nevertheless, there are so far few good solutions for how to harvest more wind energy without massive development of power lines and upgrades in existing hydropower – unless we go for nuclear power. Look to other countries It is no coincidence that China is ahead in both wind and nuclear power worldwide. The technologies fit together. The combination increases the amount of renewable energy without compromising security of supply. China will build 150 reactors over the next 15 years in combination with a massive wind power development. The UK is also moving in the same direction and is betting on both wind and nuclear power as complementary energy sources. At the same time, Sweden has begun to change its attitude towards new nuclear power. Some might say that it is better to use surplus electricity from the wind to pump water into the hydropower reservoirs, or to use hydrogen as an energy store. It is true that pumping power increases the availability of electricity, but it does not increase the total amount of energy we put into the grid. Furthermore, hydrogen storage is very inefficient, so that in principle we need three times more electricity. In other words, three times more wind turbines. Killing two birds with one stone Nuclear power can kill several birds with one stone. New, stable and reliable energy is introduced into the system. This ensures the availability of electricity, at the same time as it relieves the hydropower to balance new wind power developments. In addition to producing electricity, the same reactors can be used to produce large quantities of hydrogen and district heating. From a socio-economic point of view, this is spot on. Norway is at a crossroads where large parts of industry and transport will be electrified for the first time. The biggest obstacle to an all-electric society is the availability of stable power. The strategy for offshore wind in the Hurdal platform also includes a commitment to Norwegian industry. To achieve this, it becomes important to have available power at all times. Then we are better equipped to win the battle for green industrialization and emission-free industries. The solution is to expand nuclear power to cover more of the base load in the power grid. In this way, we can utilize hydropower’s flexibility to the full, which provides good conditions for realizing the Norwegian wind power adventure.
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The Norwegian wind power adventure needs nuclear power – Statement
