Madam, - Eamonn Rothery (September 21st) makes the point that the production of nuclear power involves the emission of "enormous quantities of greenhouse gases." Unfortunately, almost every source of energy,including hydro and wind power, results in the emission of carbon dioxide.
It takes a lot of energy to build and maintain the towers and other equipment needed to generate electricity from wind. In fact, studies by the International Atomic Energy Authority indicate that wind power results in the emission of 48 grams of CO2 equivalent per Kwh over the life cycle of the turbine, compared with only 21 grams from nuclear power from building, through operation, to decommissioning.
Even on a day-to-day basis, leaving aside building and decommissioning, wind power produces 10 grams of CO2 equivalent per Kwh compared to only 9 grams from nuclear. It turns out that nuclear energy does indeed produce less carbon dioxide overall than any other major source, including solar and hydro-electric power.
If these figures are accepted, the argument in favour of nuclear energy is clear. - Yours, etc,
JOHN STAFFORD, Dargle Wood, Dublin 16.