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Frequently Asked Questions
Why do some say can we not mix renewables with nuclear?
The problem is that nuclear needs to work pretty much at full output to justify the massive costs both financially and in terms of carbon in the building. Renewables need to have reliability if they are to be a substitute for baseload.
Reliability requires substantial ability to transmit over long distances to take account of times when the sun is not shining , the tide is not flowing or the wind is not blowing in one region.
Will it cost a lot of money ?
Answer - No for several reasons - first the work will take perhaps ten to twenty years, second the cost would be spread over twenty seven different countries, and third there will be massive savings on imported energy.
It is likely that the third may well mean that the system is cheaper than had we waited.
Do we need to pay today?
Answer - certainly not. The planning will cost virtually nothing in European terms. Agreement needs to be reached on technical standards (eg the grid voltage) and legal issues such as the rights to lay cables across nations and also what if any such countries may charge.
Can we afford to wait?
Answer - absolutely not - particularly given that the fist stages will cost nothing - there is no rational reason to wait. At the very least get the arguments out of the way - then see if the position is clearer. It makes no sense at the very least not to start getting the planning decided immediately.
How can we be sure Climate change is happening?
Nothing in life is absolutely certain - but the question really is can we afford to gamble with such an apalling downside. See our pages on this