EU can phase out nuclear power, cut CO2 by 30% by 2020; report

London (Platts)--27Sep2005

Europe could phase out nuclear power and reduce its carbon dioxide
emissions by 30% by 2020 to avoid "catastrophic climate change," Greenpeace
said in a report launched Tuesday. 
     The "Greenpeace Energy Revolution Senario" report shows that half of
Europe's energy demand could switch to renewable energy sources and CO2
emissions could be reduced by nearly 75% by 2050. It also shows that if the
European Union fails to reform its energy sector, CO2 emissions would increase
by nearly 50% by 2050, Greenpeace said.
     "This blueprint maps out how to build a future based on clean, renewable
energy sources, independent of imported fossils and nuclear fuels. This will
not only protect the climate, it will insulate national economies from the
fluctuations of the global markets for fossil and nuclear fuels, benefit the
economy and provide secure access to energy for future generations,"
Greenpeace International expert, Sven Teske said.
     According to the report, the power sector will continue to be the
forerunner of renewable energy. In 2050, more than 70% of the electricity is
to be produced from renewable energy sources, followed by renewables in the
heating sector, which will produce more than half of the needed energy.
     "There is no quick fix when it comes to the power sector--investments
and solutions are long-term. Renewable energies have slightly higher costs
now, but most of them will be cheaper in less than 15 years," said Teske.

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