Professor of journalism Johan Roppen had an article against nuclear power in Sunnmørsposten. The claims in the post were point-by-point refuted by Jan Emblemsvåg, professor at NTNU. For Roppen, it goes in “creameries”, “scrapers”, “rich uncles” and “nuclear power plants on each cape”.
Norwegian nuclear power municipalities believe that the climate, energy and nature crisis is too serious a discussion to tarnish it with ironic labels. We need objectivity and investigation to get the facts on the table. The professors we have met in our lives glorify knowledge as a basis for important decisions.
Johann Roppen: Atomkremeriet – nuclear power plant on the quarter?
The Energy Commission said that Norway needs 60 TWh more electricity in 2030 to comply with the obligations in the Paris Agreement. 20 of these are to be procured by ENØK, the remaining 40 are to be made by new production.
It is worth noting that Norway produces less than 150 TWh per year. In six years’ time, we will therefore create 40 new TWh, using solar and wind power.
In 2022, DNV wrote in “Energy Transition Norway” that Norway must produce 300 TWh of power in 2050 to reach the climate targets, i.e. a doubling in the next 26 years. In the latest version, which came out in 2023, this number has increased to 390 TWh! An increase in power production from 150 to 390 TWh requires both vigorous and far-sighted political decisions.
It is important to realize that the supranational institutions with the highest legitimacy, such as the UN’s climate panel and the EU’s science panel, constantly tell us that nuclear power is a prerequisite for reaching the climate goals. And they have many times informed about developments in technology, not least in security.
Norway has also signed the UN Nature Convention, which obliges, among other things, to restore 30 percent of already destroyed nature.
Jan Emblemsvåg: Warning about the nuclear dealers or sensational journalism?
Industry and the welfare state are built on sufficient and reasonable power. Oil, gas and hydropower are the backbone of competitiveness and welfare. By 2050, we will no longer have that advantage. Therefore, Norwegian nuclear power municipalities believe that Norway must investigate all emission-free sources that can contribute to the future energy mix, including nuclear power. We must ensure the framework conditions for business and the citizens’ welfare, while at the same time we must comply with the obligations in the Paris Agreement and the Nature Convention. This is a colossal nut to crack.
We agree with Roppen about one thing. It is expensive, very expensive, like all other sources of energy. Still, no more expensive than the fact that Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Namibia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are ready to become new nuclear power countries.
The “nuclear dealers” have the UN behind them when they have to sell from their “crisis”. Maybe we should listen? In any case, there will not be 240 TWh of new power in 2050 by ironizing it away. Or do you have a solution for society, Roppen?
