Sir, – Frank Keenan (Letters, April 4th) proposes Greystones as an ideal location for a nuclear power station to replace Moneypoint.
I would welcome a nuclear station nearby as it would guarantee plenty of long-term, high-quality jobs for the area, along with good health facilities, good policing, reliable rates for the county council and plenty of spin-off industries.
Unfortunately, I believe Moneypoint is better situated to take all these advantages as it is an existing power station and has the electrical and other infrastructure already in situ. The risk of a radiation leak is minuscule as the proposed reactors are located entirely under water and would remain cool indefinitely even if all power was lost to the station. They are upgrades of the reactors used in nuclear submarines, whose safety and reliability record is unparalleled.
So, even though Greystones would be an excellent location, I fear that our loss is likely to be Moneypoint’s gain. However, issues such as this are best determined in a rational manner by suitably qualified people following an unbiased assessment. As there is currently no alternative for Moneypoint’s replacement that would match small nuclear plants for affordability, safety, reliability or cleanliness, this assessment should begin at the earliest opportunity.
If we then decide against small nuclear, what inferior alternative will we choose?
Yours faithfully,
DENIS DUFF,
C Eng (Chartered Engineer),
Greystones,
Co Wicklow