NNWE WARNS AGAINST NUCLEAR EXIT
Date
Sections
NNWE today warned against countries turning their backs on nuclear energy. Switzerland has now followed Germany in voting for a ban on nuclear new build and even France could hang in the balance with the appointment of an avowed opponent of nuclear energy as the new energy minister.
Tim Yeo, Chairman of NNWE, commented: “The message to European countries planning nuclear new build projects, and there are several, is to commit to the technology and to protect the projects from being de-railed by anti-nuclear sentiment.
“One has only to look at Germany for the stark reality of saying no to nuclear – rising carbon emissions, increased dependency on imported gas and a renewables revolution that is having an adverse impact on consumer bills. And now Switzerland is set to make the same mistake.
“It remains to be seen what will happen in France, ironically the home of the Paris Agreement, which signals a step change in the fight against climate change and rightly recognises the role of nuclear energy as one of the key solutions to reducing emission levels, whilst ensuring security of supply.
“If Europe is serious about its climate change commitments, it simply cannot afford for nuclear new build projects to falter”.
For more information, please contact:
Melanie Wedgbury
T: +44 (0)7734 793279
Edmund Gavaghan
T: +44 (0)7714 283858
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors
1. NNWE was founded at the end of 2014 to help ensure nuclear power is recognised as an important and desirable way for European governments to provide affordable, secure, low carbon energy and help to meet the long-term energy needs of their citizens.
2. Membership of NNWE is open to all companies, individuals and organisations active in the nuclear industry including those involved in the supply chain. More information is available at www.newnuclearwatch.eu
3. Tim Yeo is Chair of New Nuclear Watch Europe and the University of Sheffield Industrial Advisory Board for the Energy 2050 initiative. He is a former Minister of State for the Environment, Shadow Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, and was Chair of the Environmental Audit Select Committee from 2005-2010 and then Chair of the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee from 2010-2015.