096-128UK.qxd:Layout 1
29-04-2010
17:28
Pagina 107
English version
Slovakia; it is part of a consortium
nuclear plants already in existence.
ty for industry, economy, education
sources, and it safeguards the envi-
in
twofold
In economic terms, the incidence of
and employment. A rebirth that will
ronment. Enel is convinced that we
increase of the Cernovoda nuclear
variable costs – i.e. nuclear fuel – on
not include only suppliers’ connect-
must take the chance to revive
plant, which will employ Canadian
the total energy production costs is
ed industries. In fact, we believe
atomic technologies, in order to
technology. Today, about 4,000
minimal; despite the high costs of
that the Italian nuclear program
allow the whole country to regain
people work with Enel in this field.
building a nuclear unit, this allows
should include the whole electricity
the competitive advantage and
And the company continues to
for the production of large quanti-
industry and all the Italian energy-
efficiency in the energy field that
recruit tens of youngsters both in
ties of energy at a competitive and
consuming companies, which will
can bring us back to par with the
Italy and abroad. Nuclear genera-
stable price.
therefore have the opportunity to
main industrialized countries.
tion offers many advantages. Firstly,
In fact, the impact of fuel price vari-
have electricity at a convenient price
nuclear technology can bring a fun-
ations on generation costs is very
for the plant’s whole lifespan, in
damental contribution to the fight
small, and the latter are usually
proportion to their participation.
against climatic change: in terms of
about 20% lower than those in one
However, the rebirth of the nuclear
greenhouse gas emissions pro-
of the new generation combined-
industry in Italy will not be possible
duced along the entire nuclear
cycle power plants. Finally, the geo-
unless we can focus our attention
chain, in fact, it releases the lowest
graphic distribution of uranium
on the important issue of consen-
quantity of CO2 equivalent per MW
reserves allows us to import nuclear
sus management. Italy will have to
produced. Nuclear energy plays a
fuel from Canada and Australia –
commit to its nuclear program for
fundamental role in the global ener-
which offer a quite different situa-
at least a decade during its realiza-
gy mix: 437 nuclear reactors are
tion
tion and for about a century during
currently producing a total capacity
exporters – reducing the risks linked
its implementation.
of 371,000 MW and cover about
to the raw material supply. Our gov-
Therefore, the program must be
15% of the world’s electricity. With-
ernment’s current objectives include
widely accepted: we need to re-
in the global fight against climate
nuclear technology in order to satis-
establish scientific truth by securing
change, in fact, the entire world is
fy 25% of the Italian demand for
an informative pact that is fair and
seeing a renewed interest in nuclear
electricity by 2020. Supposing that
able to respond to the “irrational
technology.
demand will level out at about 400
fears” that the population main-
From the United States to the Unit-
TWh/year in 2020, we will need to
tains as emotional barriers to
ed Kingdom, from Finland to Slova-
install about 13,000 MW of capaci-
nuclear technologies, such as the
kia and France, passing by way of
ty, or 8 1,600 MW nuclear units.
worries about radioactive waste
China, Russia and India, independ-
This is why Enel has started a joint-
management, plant safety, health
ently from any political orientation,
venture with EDF, the leading Euro-
safeguarding and safety for the
governments have authorized the
pean nuclear operator, to build at
people involved. We must regain
building of new plants – 55 new
least 4 third-generation, advanced
control over these arguments with
nuclear power plants are under
EPR technology nuclear plants in
a transparent, rational and compe-
construction in 14 different coun-
Italy. Thanks to these, we will be
tent communication campaign,
tries. These new power plants will
able to guarantee about half of the
creating the conditions for a partic-
add 50,900 MW to the existing
capacity required by the govern-
ipatory debate and taking example
capacity. And other projects are in
ment’s plans. Let’s not forget the
from the public debate in France.
the planning stage. Moreover,
positive consequences that would
Moreover, we must re-build a sci-
countries such as Germany, Spain,
derive from the nuclear industry’s
entifically based nuclear culture
Belgium and the Netherlands have
development for the whole country.
that can convey the key concepts:
decided to prolong the life of
This is a unique relaunch opportuni-
it’s safe, it’s an alternative to fossil
Romania
for
the
compared
to
fossil
fuel
107