"Nicolas Mazzucchi argues that nuclear power could help the democratic world achieve energy independence (Nature 606, 841; 2022). However, many more new nuclear reactors would be needed. This would generate new security risks by adding more high-value targets for potential attack.
Fourth-generation nuclear reactors rule out the risk of a nuclear meltdown and overcome some of the shortcomings of older installations. But, like conventional nuclear facilities (power plants, recycling centres and waste sites), they are tactically vulnerable to military or terrorist strikes, as well as to natural disasters.
In contrast to the devastating radiation contamination and destruction of the landscape that would be caused by such an attack, targeting a renewable-energy facility of wind turbines, for example, would inflict only short-term damage in its immediate vicinity. Moreover, repairing nuclear power plants is much more dangerous, complicated and expensive.
The best way to achieve energy security is by swiftly reducing energy demand through greater efficiency and sufficiency, and by rapidly expanding a renewable energy system that is properly structured and decentralized." [1]
1. Energy security: nuclear power versus renewables. Heiko Brendel, Nature 608, 667 (2022)
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