Against this background, nuclear energy is once again becoming relevant for Latvia – this is evidenced by the discussion held last week by the Saeima Commission on National Economy, Agrarian and Regional Policy and the Environment.
Nuclear ambitions
Liga Kurevska, State Secretary of the Ministry of Climate and Energy, presented the deputies with an information message “On the possibilities of developing nuclear energy in Latvia.” In general, in the world since the beginning of the 2000s, the total share of nuclear power plants in the energy balance has decreased, which is caused by rising costs and increased safety standards.
As for Latvia, our forecasts in the sphere of peaceful nuclear use have become “somewhat more ambitious.”
Modular nuclear reactors of a new generation with a power of up to 300 megawatts may be relevant for the Republic of Latvia. This is comparable to the figures for, for example, the Riga Hydroelectric Power Plant (402 megawatts), and is approximately 10% of the total volume generated by renewable energy sources (hydro, solar, wind, biological). Nuclear power plants may be in demand for balancing capacities that depend on external conditions, primarily climatic ones.
“If parliament makes a decision,” Mrs. Kurevska outlined the possibilities for development.
Against the background of neighbors
A similar issue was considered 2 weeks ago by legislators in Estonia; in the neighboring country they decided to create an appropriate regulatory framework and conduct market research “to understand the actual costs.” It should be taken into account that Estonia has its own fossil fuel resources – oil shale.
The Baltic region said goodbye to nuclear power in 2009, when Lithuania stopped operating the Ignalina nuclear power plant. The possibility of building modern power units was subsequently banned in a national referendum, but, as L. Kurevska believes, the attitude towards nuclear power plants in Lithuania “has changed for the better.”
The energy policies of the Baltic and Scandinavian states are now closely linked due to the common NORDPOOL electricity exchange. Historically, powerful and inexpensive hydroelectric power plants play a big role in the North, but peaceful atoms are also adequately represented in rich countries.
Swedish specialists from the company AB Atomenergi (established in 1947) independently developed the design of industrial nuclear reactors for nuclear power plants; these were power units with boiling water nuclear reactors, which were built from 1964 to 1980. A total of 15 units at five nuclear power plants were put into operation.
Got burned at Fukushima
The Ministry of Climate and Energy especially emphasized the indicator of energy production during the life cycle of future stations, which is the indicator that is most interesting for potential investors in the industry. Otherwise, prices for generated energy will creep up, because, as L. Kurevska noted, “investors do not engage in charity.” So far, the forecasts for Latvia are very favorable: production costs have decreased by 7–8 times in the last decade.
Prior to her position as Secretary of State, Liga Kurevska headed the Energy Department of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission.
The European Commission, meanwhile, limits the prospects for nuclear power plants – after the accident at the Japanese plant in Fukushima, Brussels prohibited member states from reserving capacity for nuclear plants, i.e., taking them into account in energy consumption plans. The same Swedes have begun dismantling power units at their nuclear power plants, although only 17% of the population is in favor of completely closing the reactors.
“Technology is a marathon,” stated L. Kurevska. “We would like to develop those capabilities that are self-sustaining, because the cycle of nuclear plants is 20-40 years.” Along with safety, it is necessary to calculate the commercial component, location (roads and other infrastructure), as well as construction time.
Currently, new generation nuclear power plants are being developed by two dozen manufacturers. Demonstration modular reactors on the market promise construction within 3–5 years. The safety zone is also significantly smaller – only 2 km. Among the most advanced developments, the Secretary of State named Rolls-Royce, Westinghouse, Rosatom (“we do not cooperate with them”).
Latvenergo conducted a study of the possible location of nuclear power plants in Latvia, 5 potential sites were identified. If it is planned to generate not only electricity, but also heat, a sufficient source of consumption of the latter is necessary. High-voltage lines are also needed.
The availability of water sources for cooling power units, acceptable geological conditions, as well as the ability of the road infrastructure to withstand a large tonnage of imported equipment are considered. Latvia will also need to take care of at least short-term storage of radioactive waste if it is provided by the reactor supplier in the long term. Of course, around the future station there will be a “passive zone” where nothing will be built.
The creation of a national nuclear energy regulator has also been determined – in order for the institution to employ 20 people, 1.4 million euros per year are needed. Meanwhile, Latvia lacks experts with relevant competence.
“You can import them, but this raises a security issue. Hiring non-residents to work is unusual, especially for a nuclear reactor,” the official noted.
The Kurevska League also announced the results of a just-conducted public opinion poll from SKDS – supporters of nuclear energy in Latvia are already just over 50%. However, the ministry has already begun to receive letters of protest from the local population, who heard from somewhere that a nuclear power plant was going to be built, suddenly, in Atson. Probably, the residents of the village near the Riga CHPP-2 in the Salaspils region are historically charged with thoughts about energy…
One way or another, the Ministry of Climate and Energy is ready to hold a competition for the design feasibility of a nuclear power plant by the fall of this year – of course, if there is a political decision.
#Latvia #thinking #peaceful #atom
2024-03-26 13:23:35