Sir, – Michael McDowell joins the ranks of the deluded in stating that the emergence of small modular reactor (SMR) technology for electricity generation could be a game changer and could be the paradigm shift that Ireland needs (“Ireland will remain dependent on gas unless we embrace nuclear,” – Opinion, July 22nd).
He correctly states that the nuclear question is controversial, but he fails to raise the biggest problem facing nuclear in Ireland and that is societal acceptability.
Practically and politically, it would be extremely hazardous for any government or politician to propose locating a nuclear facility, even an SMR, in any constituency across the country.
History shows that strident local opposition, safety fears, waste disposal problems, judicial reviews and planning difficulties will certainly combine to stymie any effort to advance nuclear in Ireland.
RM Block
It is also a fact that SMRs are still unproven and at prototype stage, and they are not expected to be commercially available until after 2035.
McDowell states that Ireland could become self-sufficient if we could have access to cheap nuclear energy as a low cost means of generation.
Current cost estimates, however, for a 350MW SMR are $1 billion (€878.2m) per unit at today’s prices. If commercially proven, prices are expected to soar and availability will be a significant problem.
It is interesting to reflect on the overall cost of SMRs to provide 100 per cent backup to complement less-dependable solar and wind generation.
By 2050, Ireland plans to have 37GW of installed offshore wind capacity totalling about 50GW, including onshore wind and solar capacity. Doing the sums, Ireland would need about 150 units of 350MW SMRs, costing about $150 billion, to provide full backup cover for prolonged periods of fallow wind conditions.
Clearly, widespread societal opposition, excessive cost and availability will dictate that nuclear will never be a viable solution to Ireland’s critical energy crisis. – Yours, etc,
John Leahy,
Wilton Road,
Cork.
