New Zealand's future with Nuclear Power

• New Zealand is one of the few developed countries not using electricity (indigenous or imported) from nuclear energy.
• As hydro-electric potential was progressively utilized, nuclear power featured in national power plans from 1969 to 1976.
• Concern about global warming due to carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels, especially coal, coupled with impending electricity shortages in Auckland, is putting nuclear energy back on the agenda.

New Zealand has depended primarily on hydro-electric power for its electricity for many years, but scope for expansion is limited and even the reliability of present capacity depends on capricious rainfall. Of 44 billion kWh of electricity generated in New Zealand in 2007, 54% was hydro, 27% gas, 7% coal, 8% geothermal, 2% wind and 1.8% biomass. For 4.2 million people, average per capita consumption is thus about 9300 kWh per year, or 7900 kWh if aluminium smelting is treated as largely an electricity export^a.

The power is produced from 9.4 GWe capacity, including 5.4 GWe hydro, 1.2 GWe gas-fired, 1.0 GWe coal-fired and 0.6 GWe geothermal – mainly run as baseload. In 2008, there was 0.32 GWe of wind capacity installed and 0.19 GWe more under construction. Peak demand is over 6.7 GWe.

There has been no large-scale increase in hydro capacity since the Clyde Dam on the Clutha River was commissioned in the early 1990s^c. As a result, growth in demand since 1990 has been mostly met by gas-fired plant, at least until the 1000 MWe state-owned Huntly plant shifted to using coal for 80% of its energy^d.

Auckland's power supply is particularly vulnerable to even minor incidents, and major interruptions have occurred in recent years. Nationally, new baseload capacity is required.

Why Bring Nuclear Power to NZ?

Nuclear Power is a very topical issue that occurs frequently in today's society. New Zealand is know for its 'Clean and Green' image and its anti nuclear campaign. Therefore should we bring it to NZ if we are so commonly known as 'Clean and Green'?

• Nuclear power costs about the same as coal, so it's not expensive to make.
  
  
• Does not produce smoke or carbon dioxide, so it does not contribute to the greenhouse effect.
  
  
• Produces huge amounts of energy from small amounts of fuel.
  
  
• Produces small amounts of waste.
  
  
• Nuclear power is reliable.

How does a nuclear power plant produce electricity?

A nuclear power plant is basically a steam power plant that is fueled by a radioactive element, like uranium. The fuel is placed in a reactor and the individual atoms are allowed to split apart. The splitting process, known as fission, releases great amounts of energy. This energy is used to heat water until it turns to steam.

From here, the mechanics of a steam power plant take over. The steam pushes on turbines, which force coils of wire to interact with a magnetic field. This generates an electric current.

How much of the world's electricity comes from nuclear power?

Sixteen percent of the world's electricity is supplied by nuclear power, according to the World Nuclear Association. The electricity is produced by 440 nuclear reactors in 31 countries.

The United States has the most reactors with a total of 104, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. The reactors are responsible for producing nearly 20 percent of the country's electricity.

The country that gets the highest percentage of its electricity from nuclear power is France. Its 59 reactors generate more than 78 percent of its electricity.

Why Use Nuclear Power?

Unlike burning fossil fuels, using nuclear fission to generate electricity produces no soot or greenhouse gases. This helps keep the skies clean and doesn't contribute to global warming. The World Nuclear Association estimates that the electricity industry would add 2.6 billion tons of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere each year if it used coal power instead of nuclear.

Some governments also like nuclear power because it reduces their dependency on foreign oil.

Finally, the fuel used to power nuclear reactors is very compact in comparison to fossil fuels. For instance, one pound of uranium can supply the same energy as 3 million pounds of coal. This makes it attractive for use in nuclear-powered vehicles like submarines, aircraft carriers and spacecraft.