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Frequently Asked Questions - Nuclear
Q - How many nuclear power stations are there in the UK?
A - There are 23 reactors reactors generating electricity at 9 sites in the UK.
Q - What types of nuclear power station are there in the UK? Where are they?
A - There are three reactor types in use in the UK. There are Advanced Gas
Cooled reactors (AGRs); Magnox reactors (which like AGRs are gas cooled
and so named because of the magnesium alloy cladding used to contain
the fuel rods); and one Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR).
Q - Does nuclear energy contribute to global warming?
A - No. Most experts agree that climate change is a danger because of the
emission of ‘greenhouse gases’ like carbon dioxide (CO2). A major
source of CO2 emissions is the burning of fossil fuels - such as coal,
oil and gas. Nuclear power stations do not emit CO2.
Q - Does nuclear energy cause acid rain?
A - No. ‘Acid rain’ usually refers to rain which has been made more acidic
than normal because it has absorbed gases emitted by the burning of
fossil fuels. The key gases are nitrogen oxides (usually referred to as
NOx) and sulphur dioxide (SO2). Acid rain can damage trees and reduce
fish stocks in lakes and streams. Nuclear power stations do not emit
either NOx gases or SO2.
Q - What about safety?
A - Safety is of paramount importance. The UK nuclear industry has a
thorough safety strategy which identifies all the conditions which
might lead to an accident, then sets up fail-safe systems and multiple
barriers to combat them. The safety record of nuclear reactors in the
UK is excellent.
Q - When did Britain’s first nuclear power station open?
A - Calder Hall in Cumbria was opened by the Queen in 1957. It was the world’s first operational civil nuclear power station.
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