Greenpeace Tells Ukraine: Save Energy Instead of Building Reactors

Jan Riespens, Hamburg-based organizer of an ecological campaign on energy, told The Day why his organization so strongly opposes the development of Ukraine's nuclear energy.
"Why has Greenpeace taken such an uncompromising stand on this issue?"
"According to the US Agency for International Development, about 12% of electricity produced in Ukraine could be saved by more rational management alone.
"Besides, you can invest in energy-saving projects that return their costs in about two years. This would allow you to save up to 35%. This will pay off fast and attract Western lenders."
"In an interview with The Day, Vadym Hryshchenko, member of the working group negotiating EBRD loans to complete construction of the Rivne and Khmelnytsky nuclear power stations, noted that the guarantee of safety lies in full funding. Do you think the scrapping of these projects could trigger a replay of Chornobyl?"
"The Ukrainian authorities favor continuing the work to finish the construction of the reactors. But it is obvious that Germany's Siemens, France's Framatom, and America's Racine will get the lion's share of the funds allocated, while Ukraine will be left with dangerous stations. This raises a question: will Ukraine be able to repay the loan, as the return of funds is not guaranteed?
"In addition, the Memorandum of Mutual Understanding signed by the G7, Russia and Ukraine, proclaims support of the energy sector and compensation for the Chornobyl capacity, but not necessarily at the expense of finishing the nuclear reactors. The memorandum lays emphasis on the principle of least cost.
"But the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development estimates that the least cost criterion has not been adhered to. It is for this reason that it advises implementing energy-effective technologies and building thermal stations."
"Greenpeace insists on replacing nuclear energy by sources based on steam and gas. But for Ukraine this means gas import dependence primarily on Russia, which it cannot pay even now."
"The Thursday before last I met the German ambassador in Ukraine and a Ukrainian deputy minister of foreign affairs. According to the Ukrainian authorities, the idea of constructing state of the art thermal plants is unacceptable because of the country's dependence on Russian natural gas. But at the moment Ukraine does not pay Russia for nuclear fuel, for it uses the raw material made free as a result of conversion. Next year, when, under the treaty, all nuclear warheads will be sent to Russia, Ukraine will have to pay for such fuel.
"Speaking of independence on Russia, one should invest in energy-saving
technologies. This is what will greatly reduce dependence on Russia."
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№24, (1999)Section
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