We are passing through a very critical time, when two terrible wars have severely disrupted the economy of the entire world. Even more worrying is that both countries under attack host multiple nuclear power reactors. It is not difficult now to understand how serious the problem is from a recent statement by the IAEA Director General, Rafael Mariano Grossi.
Grossi delivered his statement at the opening of the Board of Governors meeting held at the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA’s) headquarters in Vienna, Austria on March 2. Addressing the attendees, he said, “ Ukraine, where the war has just entered its fifth year. As I said in this room just a few weeks ago, it continues to pose a grave threat to nuclear safety. The situation at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) remains extremely challenging, particularly regarding off-site power, cooling water and the plant’s proximity to the frontline. I reached out to both sides and a ceasefire has been agreed. Preparatory work, including de-mining activities, was completed over the weekend at the 330 kV switchyard of the ZTPP, where repairs are now happening. The plant is depending on its sole remaining main power line after losing its only back up line more than two weeks ago.”
Raising the subject of the joint attack of America and Israel on Iran, he said, “We have now not had access to Iran’s previously declared inventories of LEU and HEU for more than 8 months, making their verification – according to standard safeguards practice – long overdue.” Thus, who knows what’s really up in Iran?
With this backdrop, right now I feel – no matter how much lower the lifecycle carbon footprint of a nuclear power plant is, we need to henceforth pay more attention to the growth of renewable energy worldwide.
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