Ireland may regret not going nuclear

Sir, – John FitzGerald argues (‘Ireland is still too small for a nuclear power plant,’ Business, April 13th) that smaller nuclear power stations (small modular reactors, or SMRs) might not be available until 2040, but SMR projects are already in construction or approved for construction worldwide. For example, the Darlington project in Ontario, Canada is scheduled to enter operation in 2028-2029.

Consider also what our fellow EU member state Estonia, with a similar population and dependence on energy imports, is doing. Its Government has drafted a nuclear energy and safety Act that will provide a legal framework for the construction of SMRs, which, in conjunction with renewables, are central to the country’s future energy plans.

By 2040 Ireland might well regret not having some SMRs already constructed and operational, and be looking at countries such as Estonia quite enviously. – Yours, etc,

James Conroy,