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Add to Preferred SourcesIAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, speaking at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 25), said greater use of low-carbon nuclear power is needed to ensure the global transition to clean energy, including to back up variable renewables such as solar and wind.
The world is currently well off the mark from reaching the climate goals of the Paris Agreement. With around two-thirds of the world’s electricity still generated through burning fossil fuels, and despite growing investment in renewable energy sources, global emissions of greenhouse gases reached a record high last year.
Mr. Grossi said greater deployment of a diverse mix of low-carbon sources such as hydro, wind and solar, as well as nuclear power and battery storage, will be needed to reverse that trend and set the world on track to meet climate goals.
“We should not see nuclear energy and renewables as being in competition with one another,” he said in Madrid at a side event on Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) – to ensure access to affordable and reliable energy. “We need to make use of all available sources of clean energy.”
Nuclear power plants produce virtually no greenhouse gas emissions or air pollutants during their operation. They are also able to operate around the clock at near full capacity, while variable renewables require back up power during their output gaps.
“Nuclear power offers a steady, reliable supply of electricity,” Mr. Grossi stated. “It can provide continuous, low-carbon power to back up increasing use of renewables. It can be the key that unlocks their potential by providing flexible support—day or night, rain or shine.”
He also spoke of the role of nuclear applications that help countries adapt to the consequences of climate change which are already apparent.
Mr. Grossi said nuclear power needs a place at the table where the world’s energy future is decided, and that he was encouraged by his talks with other international organizations and their willingness to work with the IAEA towards a cleaner climate.
Original source: IAEA
Published on 11 December 2019