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Nuclear Energy Is Inevitable

Nuclear Energy  Is Inevitable
Nuclear Energy  Is Inevitable

Taking into consideration the geographic location and the population of Iran, and the fact that fossil fuels such as oil and gas are unsustainable, it is inevitable to turn to alternative sources of energy such as solar and wind, and predominantly nuclear energy, said Namejs Zeltins, Latvian Member Committee Chair of the World Energy Council (WEC) in an interview with ILNA, published on Friday.

“Although it presents huge risks and costs, nuclear energy is necessary for Iran. To move towards nuclear energy, we have to convince the public first, which we will endeavor to do during meetings and conferences,” he said.

“Latvia has decided to reduce its share of nuclear energy, but I believe we have to move towards nuclear energy to meet our basic needs, as the renewables are not a sustainable means of securing our energy future.”

Iran possesses rich natural resources and abundant gas reserves which can be deployed to meet Latvia’s energy demands. “Thanks to the gas pipelines, we can transfer gas from Iran to Latvia, store it, and also transfer it to other European countries,” he said, also pointing to Latvia’s robust storage infrastructure.

Although Latvia is a small country, there is an interest in emerging technologies especially with regards solar energy.  Furthering cooperation with Iran is of interest to Latvia. Moreover, “we are eager to establish scientific cooperation between the two countries.”

Zeltins referred to the limitations of renewable energies in Latvia as the main driver for advocating nuclear energy.  Hydroelectricity, he noted, which is the main source of renewable energy in Latvia, has been exploited to the maximum.  

Regarding wind energy, he said potentials can be developed through offshore wind powers. Investing in solar energy is not viable in Latvia, since there is only potential in northern parts of the country. “So we have to proceed with nuclear energy,” he stated.

Moving towards renewables is a matter of national interest.  Considering the enormous expenses involved, other countries are unlikely to invest in this sector, and hence governments will have to make the necessary investment. Investment in renewables is inevitable for Iran, Zeltins asserted adding that since Iran is unfamiliar with these energy sources, it has to import the technology from industrial countries. “ Russia and Ukraine could be considered as viable options.”

Iran’s diverse climate offers the opportunity to exploit renewable energy from the sun, wind and water. More than 90 percent of the regions in the country experience sunshine for over 300 days a year. “The average sunshine in Iran is 5 kilowatt-hour per sq. meter, which is almost double the sunshine in most European countries,” deputy energy minister and head of the Renewable Energy Organization of Iran Yousef Armoudeli had said earlier.

Laws and incentives have been recently passed to encourage domestic and foreign investment in renewable energy projects in the country.

Financialtribune.com