If you read the title of this column, you may not immediately see the connection between these three. So let’s dive right in and take a closer look at the topic of nuclear energy.
WHAT WAS ELON MUSKS TWEET?
Last Thursday, Elon Musk tweeted about nuclear energy. It states: “Nuclear power plants should not be decommissioned unless they are prone to extreme natural disasters.” So what’s behind this tweet from Elon Musk?
WHY IS NUCLEAR ENERGY IMPORTANT?
In fact, the Covid-19 pandemic also served as a litmus test that showed us the weaknesses and vulnerabilities of numerous sectors.
One of these sectors, and in my opinion the most important, is undoubtedly the energy sector.
Because energy, the common and indispensable input of all other sectors, is the output of this special branch.
Labels such as “zero carbon policy” and “combating climate change” meanwhile pose serious challenges for this industry.
The strategy of turning away from fossil fuels, which lead to high CO2 emissions, in the context of combating climate change increases the importance of alternative resources.
When you think of alternatives, you immediately think of renewable raw materials. The number and capacities of wind, solar and geothermal power plants are increasing day by day.
However, since the power generation of these systems is subject to certain fluctuations, it does not yet seem possible to rely on this alone.
Viewed from this perspective, nuclear power plants then occupy a crucial special position.
With nuclear power plants, which have a very long service life, it is possible to generate relatively more energy continuously and in a cleaner way.
Of course, let’s emphasize the safety concerns about nuclear power as we witnessed the catastrophe following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan in 2011 and the release of radioactive material in Fukushima.
COMBINE ENERGY SUPPLY SECURITY AND ECONOMIC SECURITY?
One of the indispensable pillars of a sustainable economy is to guarantee the highest level of energy security for this economy.
Therefore, the required energy must be continuously provided from different sources at affordable costs. This requirement also requires diversification of the resources used in energy production.
Nuclear power plants play an important role in this diversification. Because with nuclear power plants, a reliable, clean and powerful energy supply is continuously and efficiently guaranteed.
Therefore, nuclear power plants, whose susceptibility to natural disasters is minimized, also contribute to the creation of economic security.
AKKUYU IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
Construction is currently underway on Akkuyu, Turkey’s first nuclear power plant. If everything goes according to plan, we will draw energy from the power plant from 2023.
This is a strategic project that is as important as it is important for Turkey. However, when we look at Turkey’s energy projections, when we consider the signing of the Paris Agreement and the “zero carbon” targets, it must be stressed that more nuclear power projects should be developed as soon as possible.
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