The matter in summary: 56% of Norwegians under the age of 30 are positive about nuclear power, according to a survey. Nuclear power has become the most popular energy source, with 29% going for it, compared to 25% for hydropower. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre recognizes that nuclear power will be part of the world’s energy mix, but is unsure whether it is a good idea for Norway to invest in it. According to the EU’s scientific panel and the UN’s UNECE, nuclear power is the safest source of energy with the least negative impact on climate, nature and health. Over 50 Norwegian municipalities are part of the Norwegian Nuclear Power Corporation (NKK) and are positive about nuclear power. WWF World Nature Fund points out challenges related to nuclear power, including waste issues and the location of the power plants. – Nuclear power is something I like. It is the future, and it provides such an enormous amount of energy compared to other renewable energy sources. Vetle Skjelstad (18) goes from stall to stall during the energy fair ONS in Stavanger. He finds energy exciting, and one type of energy source in particular. – A nuclear power plant can produce as much energy as many windmills. Then we avoid destroying a lot of nature. Skjelstad hopes Norway will have a number of nuclear power plants in ten years. Støre: – Part of the world’s energy mix Even Climate and Environment Minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen (Ap) praises the energy source. – Nuclear power is an enormously exciting technology. It has great potential, he says. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Ap) recognizes that nuclear power will be part of the world’s energy mix. But he doubts whether it would be a good idea for Norway to bet on it. – It will take a long time and it will be expensive. Jonas Gahr Støre speaks in front of students at the University of Stavanger. He says it is positive that young people are interested in future energy solutions. Photo: Erlend Handeland Tuastad / news Nuclear power rather than hydropower In recent years, the debate surrounding nuclear power has flared up. While some question the consequences and safety, others see nuclear power as the energy solution of the future. A survey from earlier this year actually shows that nuclear power has become the most popular energy source. 29 percent would bet on nuclear power, while 25 percent would bet on hydropower – if they could choose to bet on one energy source. In 2017, only 2 percent were positive about nuclear power. What has happened these years? Sketch for a possible nuclear power plant in Halden. In Norway, there are now over 50 municipalities that are members of the Norwegian Nuclear Power Corporation (NKK). Halden is one of these. Photo: Halden nuclear power More than half of the young people say yes – The population has seen the high electricity prices that have existed for a few years, and the natural encroachment that wind power has caused. I think this has made people look at nuclear power with new eyes. That’s what postdoctoral fellow at NTNU, Martin Nødland Hjelmeland, says. He researches nuclear power, and also mentions the war in Europe, the energy crisis and a looming climate crisis as reasons why more people are positive about nuclear power. Researcher at NTNU, Martin Nødland Hjelmeland. He answers flatly “yes” when news asks him if more young people are interested in nuclear power today. Photo: Simon Elias Bogen Hjelmeland has noticed a clear and distinct shift in the population on the subject of nuclear power. Especially among the younger ones. A survey by Opinion shows that 56 per cent of Norwegians under the age of 30 say yes to Norwegian nuclear power (external link). – I have the benefit of talking to or meeting someone under the age of 30 who does not find nuclear power exciting and interesting. Don’t think about Chernobyl Nuclear power is, according to the EU’s scientific panel and the UN’s UNECE, the safest source of energy with the least negative impact on climate, nature and health. And according to NVE, greenhouse gas emissions from nuclear power are on a par with wind power and slightly lower than hydropower. – The younger generation that is growing up now has not had the pre-history with Chernobyl which makes one perhaps have a slightly more open mind towards nuclear power, he says. Hjelmeland also believes that young people see the risk of not making use of nuclear power technology in connection with global warming. Bjelland Eriksen: – Must discuss properly Climate and Environment Minister Bjelland Eriksen is convinced that nuclear power will be a solution for many countries in the world. For Norway, he believes nuclear power can be a solution in the future. – Norway has other technologies that are better suited to solve the problem of producing enough power. Hydropower for example. But what happens after 2035 and what the world will look like then, we don’t really know, says the minister. Climate and Environment Minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen thinks nuclear power plants are exciting. Photo: Simon Elias Bogen / news He believes we should have a proper discussion before we make big choices such as investing in nuclear power. In June, the government set up a committee to investigate the various aspects of nuclear power. WWF: – Many challenges Secretary General Karoline Andaur of the WWF World Wide Fund for Nature, tells news that there are many challenges related to nuclear power. – It is challenging in relation to waste issues and the location of the power plants. Secretary General of WWF, Karoline Andaur. She says we must switch from oil and gas to renewable energy as soon as possible. She says it remains to be seen whether nuclear power will be part of the solution. Photo: Simon Elias Bogen / news Andaur says it is good that young people are interested in the various energy sources. But she believes it is another question whether nuclear power is something Norway should focus on. – I am afraid that it will become a resting cushion for other renewable extraction. We must look at each form of energy with its advantages and disadvantages and do what is best for nature. A political question Nils Morten Huseby is the administrative director of the Department of Energy Engineering. He says it is a political question whether Norway should invest in nuclear power. – There are two ditches we can fall into. One is to say that nuclear power is the solution now, and that there is therefore no need to do anything else. Nils Morten Huseby, head of the Department of Energy Engineering (IFE). Photo: Simon Elias Bogen / news The other pitfall we can fall into, he says, is to say that nuclear power is out of the question, and that we therefore don’t need to think about it. – I think we have to think about it, we have to investigate what it will entail and we have to build expertise. That way we can make a conscious choice in the future, says Huseby. This is what the parties think: The Labor PartyIf technology develops positively, nuclear power could be very relevant for Norway. Therefore, we have set up a committee that looks at issues such as legislation, handling of waste, how it fits into the Norwegian power system and other relevant issues. HøyreHøyre’s national meeting decided in 2022 that Norway will take an active role in the international research and development of new nuclear power technology. Right wing we want to investigate what assumptions and needs Norway has for nuclear power. The Progress Party We must invest more in research and technology development within nuclear power, for example based on thorium, of which we have significant deposits in Norway. The Center Party Will invest more in nuclear power. The party believes that the time has come to acquire more knowledge, and invest in a planned plan for further research and competence building in the area. Socialist left party Energy policy spokesperson in SV, Lars Haltbrekken, says SV believes nuclear power is expensive and risky. – SV is against the establishment of nuclear power plants in Norway . It is expensive and risky, and it will also not be possible to establish nuclear power that will enable us to reach the climate goals by 2030, he tells ABC news. Left-wing nuclear power plays an important role in the development of international climate policy, and the Left wants Norway to participate in a collaboration on the development of nuclear power both in Scandinavia and Europe. This must be done at the same time as we invest in our unique position with emission-free hydropower and more renewable energy from wind and sun. Kristelig Folkeparti Kristelig Folkeparti wants Norway to invest in nuclear power to meet the growing need for power. The Green MDG environmental party is in favor of nuclear power and considers it an important global climate solution. They still do not support the development of nuclear power on Norwegian soil. RødtRødt is against the development of nuclear power in Norway, and is concerned that Norway should solve the problems we still have with waste from the nuclear reactors in Halden and Kjeller. At the same time, the program opens for research into thorium, as part of the solution to the world’s global climate problems. Don’t want it to destroy people and nature The group of friends Lea Mæland Jørpeland, Khadija Kamran and Annelin Norheim (all 16) could imagine a nuclear power plant in Norway. They believe it would be better for the environment. Thumbs up for nuclear power. But like windmills, they could not imagine having a nuclear power plant in their own home village. Photo: Simon Elias Bogen / news But there is a small catch, they say: – They should be set up in a place where people do not live and that nature is not so destroyed, says Norheim. Hello, you! Do you have any thoughts you’re stuck with after reading this case? Or maybe you have tips for something else I can write about? Feel free to get in touch! 👇 Nuclear power plants are highly topical in the public debate today. But what do you mean? Use the comment field below: Hello! Welcome to dialogue at news. Since you are logged in to other news services, you do not have to log in again here, but we need your consent to our terms of use for online dialogue Published 29/08/2024, at 05.49
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Young people support nuclear power – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
