There are various discussions about whether nuclear energy is renewable and a good alternative in a world where we are experiencing problems arising from climate change. In Europe, for example, countries have not yet reached a consensus on including nuclear energy in the group of "green" energies.

The advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power include environmental, economic and safety issues. It is cleaner than other sources, but it is not without certain risks. And in general, even if it is much less polluting, to say that nuclear power is renewable would not be exactly correct.

Is nuclear energy renewable or not?

For many parameters and definitions that serve to determine whether nuclear energy is renewable or not, the conclusion is that no, it is not. However, in a context of climate change, nuclear energy production does not generate greenhouse gases and is a low carbon fuel.

Renewable means that the energy is supplied from sources that are constantly replenishing themselves, such as water from hydroelectric plants, or sunlight for solar panels on rooftops. Because nuclear energy uses radioactive fuel, it is not renewable in that sense.

However, nuclear power is the second largest source of low-carbon electricity in the world, second only to hydropower. Some researchers say it is essential to help countries achieve satisfactory levels of output at the national level without emitting greenhouse gases.

This is because it is not yet possible to use renewable energy to produce all our electricity needs. However, nuclear energy is not immune to problems.

A major one is the production of radioactive waste, which needs to be safely transported to long-term storage, where it should not be disturbed for tens of thousands of years until the material is no longer a threat to human health or the environment.

Advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power

The advantages

• Be a source of low carbon electricity that can be harnessed 24/7 for up to two years at a time;
• Have high density - the amount of energy released during nuclear fission is approximately 10 million times greater than that released when burning fossil fuel atoms;
• Flexibility to people's needs, as it is possible to reduce the electricity output of a nuclear power plant if there is enough electricity coming from other sources, or to increase it in the event of a rise in demand;
• Have a relatively low cost;
• Have power plants that do not drastically alter the surrounding environment.

The disadvantages

• By-products of nuclear energy that are radioactive materials and radioactive waste, which can be extremely harmful;
• Even with safety measures, the risk of accidents; history shows that even with safety, nuclear disasters in plants will always be a risk;
• Need high technology, education, and money to build nuclear power plants; in addition, only countries that have signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty can produce the necessary fuel; this all means that generally only the most developed countries can build plants.