Slovakia needs nuclear energy

While the coalition in Berlin has extended the running times of German nuclear power plants Slovakia is contending with protests from Nuclear-free Austria against its nuclear programme. The liberal daily Sme sees nuclear energy as indispensable for Slovakia, but urges a cautious approach on the issue: "Nuclear power plants remain the only alternative to fossil energy sources in the medium term. If we want to reduce our dependency on Russia and also our consumption of oil, gas and coal, promoting renewable energies and saving energy simply won't be enough. This can only be achieved with the help of nuclear energy. ... It would therefore be foolish for Slovakia to dispense completely with nuclear energy, as radical environmentalists and our Austrian neighbours demand for reasons that are more ideological than rational. … Post-communist dawdling, corrupt authorities and political pressure are admittedly not the best guarantee for all the security regulations being observed. Clear supervision will undoubtedly be necessary here."

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