Excellent article from Denise Carpenter, CEO of the Canadian Nuclear Association on the energy choices Canada faces (along with the rest of us). She begins:
Today, nuclear generation provides 15 per cent of the electricity produced in Canada.
Nuclear energy is a safe, affordable, reliable form of generation. What people often overlook is that it’s also an integral part of the clean energy portfolio. Nuclear power plants produce virtually no greenhouse gas emissions, and do not contribute to either climate change or smog.
In fact, if we were to replace the electricity generated by nuclear power plants in Canada today with the same amount of electricity generated by fossil-based sources, it would add about 90 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually.
We like her positive and pragmatic tone supporting a clean energy mix as she continues:
While there is certainly a place for renewable sources such as wind and solar in the electricity supply mix, these sources are not at a point yet where they can replace more reliable, established forms of energy generation. As we all know, the sun doesn’t always shine and the wind doesn’t always blow. It would be irresponsible to rely upon intermittent generating capacity.
Our nation’s critical infrastructure relies on a consistent, predictable supply of electricity. Businesses and homes depend on cost certainty. Nuclear generating stations produce a constant, stable amount of energy….It’s time we took a moment to consider Canada’s energy future. It’s time we make an investment in our future. It’s time to reinvest in nuclear.
