Nuclear power in Scotland
Scotland has a long history of nuclear research and electricity generation. Nuclear energy consistently accounts for 20-80% of the electric supply in Scotland depending on weather conditions for wind power generation and electricity demand.[1] As of 2022, there is only one remaining operating nuclear power station in Scotland (Torness).[2]
The
Nuclear reactors in Scotland
Power station reactors
- Chapelcross, Dumfries and Galloway(Generation ceased 2004)
- Hunterston A, North Ayrshire(Generation ceased 1990)
- Hunterston B, North Ayrshire - EDF Energy owned AGR (Generation ceased 2022)
Research reactors
- Dounreay
- VULCAN (Rolls-Royce Naval Marine) (decommissioned in 1992)
- PWR2(Rolls-Royce Naval Marine) - (shut down 2015)
- DMTR - (shut down 1969)
- Fast breeder reactor(shut down 1977)
- Prototype fast reactor - (shut down 1994)
- East Kilbride - Scottish Universities Research and Reactor Centre (100 kW Argonaut class reactor deactivated 1995, fully dismantled 2003)
Nuclear-powered vessels
HMNB Clyde (Faslane) is the homeport of the nuclear-powered submarines of the Vanguard and Astute classes:
As of 2007[update] seven nuclear-powered submarines were stored at Rosyth Dockyard after decommissioning and the removal of their fuel :[6]
Public opinion
In 2013, a YouGov energy survey concluded that:
New YouGov research for Scottish Renewables shows Scots are twice as likely to favour wind power over nuclear or shale gas. Over six in ten (62%) people in Scotland say they would support large scale wind projects in their local area, more than double the number who said they would be generally for shale gas (24%) and almost twice as much as nuclear (32%). Hydro power is the most popular energy source for large scale projects in Scotland, with an overwhelming majority (80%) being in favour.[7]
— YouGov
By 2020, an IMechE survey found that support for nuclear had increased to 49% in favour.[8]
References
- ^ "Scotland".
- ^ Paul Matthews; Iain Scherr (15 May 2019). "Annual Compendium of Scottish Energy Statistics - May 2019 Update" (PDF). Scottish Government. p. 19,73. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
- ^ New nuclear power stations get go-ahead
- ^ a b "MSPs vote No to new nuclear stations". www.scotsman.com. Archived from the original on 23 June 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-18.
- ^ "Tony Trewavas: Nuclear power opposition based on slogans and fear". www.scotsman.com. Retrieved 2017-01-22.
- ^ "Parliamentary Business 27 Jan 2007". Hansard. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ^ Cordelia Nelson (March 20, 2013). "Scots support renewable energy". YouGov.
- ^ https://www.imeche.org/docs/default-source/1-oscar/reports-policy-statements-and-documents/nuclear-power-report-_2019_01_06_web.pdf?sfvrsn=62da8612_2 [bare URL PDF]
See also
- Nuclear power in the United Kingdom
- Economy of Scotland
- Renewable energy in Scotland
- List of Scotland-related topics