Safety concerns linger amid pursuit of low-carbon future

Singapore

PROPONENTS of nuclear energy say it complements (instead of competes with) renewables, and is necessary for the world's nations to meet their obligations under the Paris climate change agreement. But safety concerns lingering from the Fukushima disaster in 2011 and increased costs are not helping the industry.

"Nuclear energy is necessary for a low-carbon future," said Sergey Kirienko, chief executive officer of Russian nuclear state-owned company Rosatom.

While renewable energy sources such as solar and wind are important, these are intermittent in nature and need to be accompanied by an energy source that can provide a baseload.

This baseload should come from nuclear energy, said Mr Kirienko at an industry conference organised by the company in end-May. "It has no limits in terms of territory area. It doesn't matter if you have sunshine or wind…