EU energy boss finds replacing nukes with gas 'worrying'

EU energy boss finds replacing nukes with gas 'worrying'

Brussels (Platts)--29Sep2004


Replacing old nuclear power plants with gas fired power generation is
"worrying", European Union energy commissioner Loyola de Palacio told a
conference in Brussels Tuesday. "The switch to gas is a positive move as it
increases fuel diversity and reduces CO2 emissions," said de Palacio. But she
added that the global effect of the switch to gas on CO2 emissions was
unclear, owing to the potential for gas leaks from long distance pipelines.

Gas in its natural form as methane is a 20 times stronger greenhouse gas than
CO2. And when Europe's nuclear plant starts to be decommissioned from 2020 the
forecast is for CO2 to increase, said de Palacio. "Gas, not renewables, is the
favorite for new power generation." This was the reason to keep the debate on
nuclear open, she said. "Today the only real low CO2 energy technology
available is nuclear.

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