In the past two years, Europe’s concept of nuclear power has changed, and the public has basically held a positive attitude. Last year, Finland became the first European country to restart the construction of new nuclear power plants in 15 years. The new nuclear power plant will be officially put into operation in 2009. Bulgaria has also issued a bid for the construction of a nuclear power station to replace the Soviet-built Kozloduy nuclear power station closed due to safety issues. France plans to design a third-generation nuclear power plant to replace the existing nuclear reactor. Recently, French President Jacques Chirac also announced the fourth generation of a more efficient and less polluting nuclear reactor program, which is expected to start in 2020. The United Kingdom is also considering whether to include nuclear power plants constructed in the 1970s and 1980s into energy strategies.
According to Corin Millais, executive president of the European Wind Energy Association, the natural gas conflict in Russia and Russia and the instability of European natural gas imports from Russia have caused great panic in Europe, but the use of wind energy can ease the tension in European energy supply and reduce excessive dependence on fossil fuels. The technology of European wind power stations is mature and the cost is low, unlike the construction period of nuclear power plants that takes several years. Currently, 6% of EU energy demand comes from wind energy and other renewable energy sources.
The European Commission has set the energy goals for the future, that is, renewable energy will account for 12% in 2010; the European Parliament in September 2005 demanded that renewable energy sources reach 20% by 2020. However, due to the restrictions of laws and regulations, it is currently impossible to sell green electricity transnationally to make the development of the European renewable energy market face obstacles. If these problems can be solved, the wind energy power station may provide 12% of electricity to the EU in 2020 and 25% in 2030.
Fossil fuel crisis promotes European green energy development
With rising oil prices, increasing greenhouse effect, and unstable supply of natural gas in Russia, European countries’ nuclear and renewable energy industries are expected to expand their market share in 2006.