Energy News  
CIVIL NUCLEAR
World must 'rethink nuclear safety': Ukraine energy minister
By Claudine RENAUD
Paris (AFP) Dec 13, 2022

The world must "rethink nuclear safety" after Russia's seizure of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe's largest, Ukrainian energy minister German Galushchenko told AFP ahead of a Tuesday conference in Paris.

The international gathering hosted by France aims to raise funds to repair Ukraine's damaged infrastructure as well as highlight the country's support for Kyiv in its fight against Russia.

With at least 40 percent of Ukraine's energy infrastructure demolished in the past two months, Galushchenko will join the conference to ask for materials and funds to get Ukrainians through the winter.

Speaking to AFP on Monday, he said Russia's war in Ukraine "completely changes our understanding of nuclear security", pointing to the capture of the Zaporizhzhia plant as a turning point.

The nuclear plant, located in Ukraine's east, was seized by Russian troops in March, and shelling has continued around the site.

Despite Western powers and the UN atomic energy agency raising the alarm over safety at the plant -- which has six nuclear reactors -- talks aimed at demilitarising the area have stalled.

"Nobody expected that someone could capture a nuclear plant... This situation absolutely pushes us to rethink what we should do from the point of view of safety," Galushchenko told AFP.

He added that Russia's seizure of a nuclear plant "destroyed" any semblance of a safety net provided by agreements established by Western countries and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

"That's a question, too, to all the countries of the world," he said.

"It's not only a Ukrainian issue of nuclear safety. It means that any missiles which could fly, let's say, up to 2,000 kilometres, could reach any nuclear reactor."

- 'Crazy game' -

Since Zaporizhzhia's capture, Galushchenko said Moscow's forces have continued shelling power lines connecting the plant to Ukraine's energy grid. The power plant has gone into blackout mode "five times", he added.

His main worry is that a nuclear power plant needs a constant power supply to cool the fuel.

If it gets disconnected, it could be a "classic Fukushima scenario", Galushchenko said, referring to the 2011 disaster in Japan.

"They shell Ukrainians lines, destroy the lines, then the station starts on diesel generators and it means you are one step ahead of an accident," he said.

But even after the power lines have been repaired and the electricity supply to the plant resumed, the worrying process begins once more with the start of fresh shelling, Galuschenko said.

"This is a crazy game around nuclear security," he said.

Since October, Russia has switched tactics and begun airstrikes targeting Ukraine's energy network -- plunging millions into cold and darkness at the onset of winter.

The conference in France will focus on ways in which Ukraine's Western allies can provide immediate support to keep the country's civil infrastructure functioning amid incessant bombing.

Ukraine is dependent on nuclear power for more than 50 percent of its electricity.

Despite the alarm over Zaporizhzhia's situation, the country has no intention of giving up its use of nuclear power, Galushchenko said.

"But we need to think on military threats and that is absolutely new -- not even for us, but also as the world, this is something we should think about together," he told AFP.


Related Links
Nuclear Power News - Nuclear Science, Nuclear Technology
Powering The World in the 21st Century at Energy-Daily.com


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


CIVIL NUCLEAR
Dutch plan two new nuclear power plants by 2035
The Hague (AFP) Dec 9, 2022
The Dutch government said on Friday it would build two new nuclear power plants near a town in the southern Netherlands, saying it would reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The plants near the town of Borssele would be completed by 2035 and produce up to 13 percent of the Netherlands' electricity, Prime Minister Mark Rutte said. "By adding nuclear energy to our total energy mix, we'll reduce carbon dioxide emissions from electricity production and make ourselves less dependent on countries where ... read more

Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.



Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

CIVIL NUCLEAR
To battle climate change, scientists tap into carbon-hungry microorganisms for clues

UK start-up behind algae-based packaging bids for Earthshot glory

NASA and industry advance jet engines and sustainable fuel compatibility

New project will design first Danish reactor for carbon negative hydrogen production from biogas

CIVIL NUCLEAR
Paper-thin solar cell can turn any surface into a power source

Kerry says US could 'tweak' green subsidies after EU anger

The perovskite solar cells tough enough to match mighty silicon

Sierra Space selected by Maxar to provide solar power solutions for constellation of proliferated LEO satellites

CIVIL NUCLEAR
A healthy wind

Intelligent drones to make wind turbines far more efficient

Nine countries join alliance to boost offshore windpower

UAE, Egypt ink major wind energy deal on COP27 sidelines

CIVIL NUCLEAR
COP28 must target 'equitable' energy transition: UAE

Heat will stay on in Europe this winter, but after?

Ukraine energy operator applies emergency cuts in all regions due to strikes

More than 500 Ukrainian localities without power: ministry

CIVIL NUCLEAR
US researchers announce historic nuclear fusion breakthrough

Britain to build first Americium space battery

Nuclear fusion: harnessing the power of the stars

Lehigh University shares in $47 million DOE push to accelerate fusion energy research

CIVIL NUCLEAR
German rail offers up porcelain ware to reduce waste

Post-lockdown auto emissions can't hide in the grass

India's Bishnoi community, the original eco-warriors

Chile's unique Atacama desert sullied by world's junk

CIVIL NUCLEAR
US lawmakers say oil giants 'greenwashed' image while hampering climate action

Good vibrations turbo charge green hydrogen production

TotalEnergies exits Russian gas firm's board, takes $3.7 bn hit

Keystone Pipeline shut due to oil leak into creek

CIVIL NUCLEAR
NASA Mars helicopter Ingenuity sets altitude record on 35th flight

Evaluating a Possible Drill Location

Martian dust devil analogues in the Mojave Desert #ASA183

Tiny underwater sand dunes may shed light on larger terrestrial and Martian formations









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.