Aargau takes next step towards nuclear renewal

The Aargau government is taking tentative steps toward building a new nuclear power plant and has launched a consultation process into the feasibility of the project.

The plant would replace an existing facility at the Beznau power station that is expected to reach the end of its lifespan a decade from now.

Switzerland currently produces 39 per cent of electricity from five aging nuclear plants, and a decision is needed by 2014 on whether to replace these.

The issue has raised a red flag for environmental activists who believe the country should be looking to conservation and renewable sources to meet its future energy needs.

The consultation involves outlining technical details of how a new nuclear plant would fit into Aargau’s existing power generation infrastructure and what would need to change.

Among the requirements are a new cooling tower and power lines to and from the new plant.

A cantonal energy official, Werner Leuthard, told Swisster the consultation also covers other energy infrastructure, including a new hydroelectric plan.

The bulk of Swiss electricity, 55 per cent, is obtained from hydro plants, renewably-generated by harnessing natural water forces.

Leuthard also said the canton’s plan provides an opportunity to check what obstacles lie in the way of nuclear renewal.

“We are also interested in the consequences of the plan,” said Leuthard, who reckons the canton ought to receive some form of compensation if the renewal proves to be difficult or unpopular.

In November, 64 per cent people in the canton of Vaud rejected plans for an extension of the Mühleberg plant in neighbouring Bern, beyond its current end date of 2012.

The nuclear renewal process “is run by the federal government,” said Leuthard. The federal cabinet took full control of Switzerland’s nuclear system in new 2005 legislation, removing the canton’s right to veto any new plans.

“The consultation (in Aargau) is not about finding out if people want a new nuclear power plant or not,” said federal energy department spokesperson, Marianne Zünd.

That issue will arise in 2014 when any federally-approved plans are put before a national referendum.

But environmental NGOs smelled a rat when told about the government’s explanation of the planning instrument.

“It makes sense for them [cantonal authorities] to know right now what people think,” said Greenpeace spokesperson Nicolas Deroten. “Say 70 per cent of people don’t want it, the canton needs to know that,” he added.

Thorny political battles may develop if cantons find that their citizens object to the federal nuclear renewal plan.

“It would be very hard for the canton not to say something,” said Deroten, although he suspects the people of Aargau will be largely pro-nuclear given that nuclear energy has created jobs in the region.

Nonetheless, Greenpeace thinks other cantons will publicly oppose new plant replacements if local consultations reveal objections.

“It’s not a good idea for Switzerland to pursue with nuclear power...We’re going to fight any plans,” said Deroten.

NGOs such as Greenpeace and the Swiss Energy Foundation think it would be better to focus on energy efficiency and renewables, rather than deal-making over nuclear power. But calls for unlimited renewables subsidies have fallen on deaf ears.

NGOs allied three years ago with some political parties to form the Anti-Nuclear Alliance, but it seems unlikely that this movement will be able to stall the renewal process before the 2014 national nuclear referenda.

Utilities Axpo and BKW FMB Energie submitted applications in April 2008 to replace Beznau, which they say is crucial to Switzerland’s energy security, given that the plants have a limited life-span and electricity import agreements with France are due to expire by 2018.

But Greenpeace told Swisster that nuclear power requires imported uranium from outside the country, which leaves the energy system more vulnerable to foreign influences than if the government focused on domestic renewables.

Aargau’s infrastructure consultation process runs until June 14 and will be followed by a further consultation on the nuclear renewal licence application.