Is Nuclear the Energy for the Future??

IS THE FUTURE NUCLEAR?

This was the title of the talk given to us by our guest Speaker – Gwen Parry Jones. OBE. on October 21^st 2015.   Which she was quick to point out, was by coincidence, the future date featured in the classic film, ‘Back to the Future’.

The timing for this excellent talk, was coincidental for another reason.  It practically concurred with the signing of the agreement for EDF Energy and the China National Nuclear Corporation to cooperate in a deal to construct the Hinkley  Point nuclear plant.

Though with some way to go and further negotiations chiefly on security and safety aspects, this £24.5 billion plant, may become the precursor to further plants being considered at Sizewell  in Suffolk  and  Bradwell in Essex.

Being  built jointly with finance and technology supplied by China.  The signing of the agreement was timed to take place during the visit by Chinese  President Xi Jinping.  Thus although I had asked Gwen nearly two months ago, if she would give a talk to our Club, neither of us realised that the timing could be quite critical.     For several days prior to the 21^st , a lot of effort had gone into arranging an appropriate venue and audience for such a high profile speaker.   We were pleased to be able to welcome some members from our neighbouring Clubs of Stroud and Severn Vale as well as wives and other guests.

Thus it was with some trepidation that I began to be concerned as the day approached,  that Gwen, being a Director of EDF Energy,  might be required to go to London at short notice.

However, being the true professional that she is, she joined  us  at The Hill and delivered a convincing case for nuclear as an important and necessary part of our energy mix, for the next few decades of this century.

She highlighted  the key requirements of fuel security, necessary reduction in greenhouse gases, also referred to as carbon reduction.   Highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each type of energy source, Gwen also acknowledged the importance of diversity in electricity generation and touched upon the merits and downsides of solar, wind and even tidal.

With a few members of the audience having retired from careers in the gas and oil industries, question time was quite lively.  Questions ranging from political, cost and even ethical  considerations.    I think that for most people, it was agreed that to do nothing was not an option, especially when considering the reductionover the last ten years,  in the margin of spare generating capacity at times of peak demand.  

Finally, for me it was particularly interesting as I had also worked at several places she touched upon, such as Culham Laboratories,  Sizewell B, Bradwell, Winfrith Heath and Sellafield and even Studsvik in Sweden.

Bryan Webster