For many years,
nuclear power has been a contentious issue* in Europe. Italy stopped the
building of new nuclear stations in 1987. In Austria, their only plant was
converted to gas in the same year. In Denmark, there is no nuclear energy.
Sweden is in the process of closing its nuclear power stations, Germany too.
The list goes on, and extends throughout the world's 'developed' countries. Now
it seems that demonstrators here have a new ally* in their struggle to close
down plants like Garona in Burgos, the second oldest in Spain. The Spanish
Socialist Party, PSOE, have declared that they too want to see Spain's nine
installations closed down. They want this to happen by 2015. and that the
consumer should choose if the 1.3% nuclear residue tax is spent on renewable
energy. This plan was rejected in parliament by the Popular Party and Canary
Island and Catalonian Nationalists. However, a Green-peace spokesman, Carlos
Bravo, believes the battle has only just started. We consider the PSOE's
change of attitude commendable, although we believe the lime period should be
shorter." Antonio Landeta, the PP MP*, said "Nuclear energy is of major
importance to the economy. The nuclear power stations should remain open as
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as there are no safety
problems" Some 300/o of Spain's power comes from these plants. However, Joan
SauraofICV-Verds in Cataluna believes the figure is exaggerated. "The nuclear
station energy potential is much higher than the demand. What happens is that
when extra energy is needed, they use nuclear power, which artificially
increases its percentage." Renewable energy currently accounts for 6.3%, but
this could reach 12% by 2010. Apart from this, the maximum energy demanded in
Spain was on 16 December 1997 - 27,369 megawatts. From all sources,
there is capacity to produce 43,549 megawatts. Nuclear power provides 7,569
megawatts. Using these figures, supplied by the Spanish Electricity network
Joan Saura asserts, "Nuclear energy is surplus* to requirements." (I, E if you
work hard) |