© AFP
On Saturday, the Luxembourgish pro-nuclear association Lëtz Atom sought to inform the public on the potential benefits of nuclear energy at the Place Guillaume II.
Is nuclear energy really that bad?
Former Minister of Environment Claude Turmes argued in 2022 that nuclear energy is not sustainable, citing long infrastructure development times, potential dangers, and significantly higher costs compared to renewable sources. According to Turmes, nuclear energy could even be a setback in combating climate change, a position the current Luxembourgish government still upholds.
However, Lëtz Atom opposes this stance and aimed to address what they perceive as common misconceptions about nuclear energy at an awareness campaign on Place Guillaume II on Saturday. Supporters from across the EU and even Dr. Mark Nelson, a clean energy expert from the US, who also holds a Masters in Nuclear Engineering from Cambridge University, joined the event.
Dr. Nelson emphasised that Luxembourg has yet to hold a comprehensive public debate on nuclear energy, and pointed out that the energy landscape has changed dramatically in recent years due to factors like the war in Ukraine and cutting off Russian gas supply. "There’s a whole new pro-nuclear wave across Europe," he noted. He also highlighted rising interest on the other side of the Atlantic as major American firms are rapidly exploring how to meet their own energy needs through nuclear energy.
Lëtz Atom's director, like Dr Nelson, is convinced by what he studied at university. He believes that Luxembourg’s dismissal of nuclear energy is a misstep, especially with skyrocketing energy and heating costs. He argued that nuclear energy, now backed by advancing technologies that can recycle nuclear waste, as illustrated by Rolls-Royce in a recent video, could provide a safer and more affordable solution for people.
For more details on Lëtz Atom's perspective, you can visit letzatom.lu.
