"Time to Talk About Nuclear: A Young Generation’s Perspective" - Deputy James O’Connor

Time to Talk About Nuclear: A Young Generation’s Perspective

By  James O’Connor TD

For decades, “nuclear” has been a dirty word in Irish politics. When people hear it, they think of Chernobyl, or cartoons like ‘The Simpsons’, where power plants produce glowing-green waste and three eyed fish. It’s been written off as dangerous, expensive, and completely unsuitable for Ireland. But like every other technology, nuclear energy has evolved, and it’s time for Ireland to have a serious conversation about it.

A century ago, no one would have eagerly jumped into the first rickety wooden airplane, and understandably so. But today, flying is second nature, with holidays and weekend trips abroad a routine part of life for my generation. Attitudes change as technology advances, and the same should apply to nuclear energy.

A 2021 poll found that 60% of 18-24-year-olds support nuclear power in Ireland, the highest of any age group. This is significant. Just as younger people are more engaged with the climate crisis than previous generations, they are also more willing to rethink old assumptions about nuclear power. This generation understands that renewables alone won’t be enough to power a future where energy security, affordability, and climate action are non-negotiable.

It’s time to separate fact from fiction. The nuclear power plants of the past were huge, expensive, and reliant on outdated safety measures. But modern nuclear technology has moved on, and what’s now being embraced worldwide is Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

Unlike the massive nuclear plants of the 20th century, SMRs are cheaper, safer, and faster to build. They use passive safety systems, meaning they can shut down and cool themselves without human intervention or electricity. They take up a fraction of the space of traditional plants and can be built to fit Ireland’s needs, rather than being seen as too large for our grid. That’s why the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) backs SMRs as a game-changer in clean, secure energy production.

Ireland is already importing nuclear-generated electricity from the UK and France yet refuses to even consider producing its own. This makes little sense. If we continue down this path, we risk falling behind as other advanced economies embrace nuclear as a key part of the clean energy transition.

Nuclear energy is one of the most reliable and scalable solutions for tackling the climate crisis. Unlike fossil fuels, it produces zero carbon emissions while delivering consistent, 24/7 power, something wind and solar alone can’t guarantee. Since Fianna Fáil re-entered government in 2020.Ireland has already made serious progress on emissions, hitting a 30-year low despite a growing population and economy. I’m not suggesting Ireland rely solely on nuclear energy, but we must consider it alongside wind and solar to create a balanced, reliable, and sustainable energy mix to help us achieve our climate goals.

Tech giants like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft are investing billions in nuclear energy as a clean, emissions-free power source for AI and other industries. Meanwhile, Rolls-Royce in the UK is developing its own SMRs to meet the growing demand for reliable, carbon-free electricity. A single Rolls-Royce SMR power station will occupy the footprint of two football pitches and power approximately one million homes!

It’s no coincidence that countries committed to AI, digital transformation, and high-tech industry are also investing in nuclear power to support their future energy needs. Ireland has a real opportunity to become a world leader in Artificial Intelligence, but that ambition requires a stable, abundant, and clean energy supply. Without it, we’ll struggle to compete with nations that are already making those investments.

We also can’t ignore the issue of energy security. The past few years have shown how dangerously exposed Ireland is to global energy markets. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sent energy prices skyrocketing. While Fianna Fáil in government did extremely well to protect households and businesses from the worst of it, we must think long-term.

Germany is already reconsidering its decision to phase out nuclear energy after being forced to restart coal-fired plants to keep the lights on. Ireland should learn from that mistake. If we want affordable, stable energy prices, we need to consider mixing renewables and nuclear to ensure we are not held hostage by global energy shocks.

The ban on nuclear power generation in Ireland has been in place since 1999, based on fears that no longer match reality. The argument was that nuclear was too unsafe, too expensive, and too large for Ireland. But SMRs solve all of those problems. Countries around the world, including those we trade and connect energy grids with, are embracing them. Meanwhile, we refuse to even discuss it.

No one is saying nuclear should replace renewables. Far from it. But if we are serious about tackling climate change, if we truly want to lead in AI and high-tech industries, if we want energy independence and affordable electricity for Irish households, then nuclear must be on the table. My generation is ready to have this discussion. It’s time the country was too.

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