Assess the role that nuclear power might play in the future energy security of countries such as the UK

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Assess the role that nuclear power might play in the future energy security of countries such as the UK (15 marks)

Energy security is the security of access a country has to affordable, plentiful supplies of energy to meet the demand of its population. Countries which import large quantities of energy from overseas are considered energy insecure, whereas those with a surplus of energy are relatively secure.

It is uncertain how drastic a role nuclear power will play in the energy security of developed countries such as the UK and USA. However, what is clear is the need for change; some kind of energy revolution or re-think of our energy systems, taking into account the current increase in demand of energy and growing insecurity of supplies. Several factors affect the future of energy security in the UK and other countries such as the USA. Firstly, the UK is extremely dependent on oil – it accounting for a greater portion of energy consumption than any other fuel. Such a dependence means that any shortage of supply or price increase can have dramatic effects on the economy, exacerbated by inevitable power shortages and even power cuts (such as those seen in San Francisco, 2001).

It seems that likelihood of losing such supplies is growing evermore. For example: since the 1970s the Middle East (from where the UK and USA imports most of its oil) has undergone periods of extreme political turbulence; most recently with the occupation from allied forces post the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York. Importing oil from such politically unstable regions is simply unsustainable in a western environment, with such a huge demand for energy; and such dire consequences if such demands are not met.

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Furthermore, demand for energy is constantly growing in developing countries such as India and China, as their economies grow larger, and living standards and consumerism increases. The demand for oil in developing nations was 26% in 1970, and had risen by a further 14% by 2000. The forecasted growth in energy consumption is 300 quadrillion Btu (British thermal units). This will put further strain on the remaining reserves of oil, coal and gas; reducing the energy security of countries such as the UK. All of the above factors are underpinned by the rapidly depleting reserves of fossil fuels. Current demands ...

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