A nuclear Albania: energy hub or security risk?

Bloggers discuss the pros and cons of the government's plan to build a nuclear power plant.

Albania recently announced plans to build its first nuclear power plant, with the government approving a proposal by the US-based firm Westinghouse. The move has the potential to transform the country -- plagued by chronic power shortages -- into a regional energy hub.

"We can't deny the country nuclear energy, which is the principal source of energy for France and most of the countries of the EU," Prime Minister Sali Berisha told parliament, responding to opponents of the plan. Environmentalists warn that radioactive waste would pose a danger to public health.

Writing at peshkupauje, Aleksander notes that the idea has sparked concerns in neighbouring Greece. "The country is being surrounded -- or at least this is expected to happen -- by atomic power plants of neighbouring countries," he writes. According to media reports, Athens also stands to lose some of its revenue from electricity exports.

By contrast, Italy has expressed interest in hooking up its electricity grid to the plant via underwater transmission lines.

Fair is fair, comments Chenet. "Albania has always accepted nuclear residues from other European countries, becoming in this way the big atomic garbage field of the Balkans."

Artan, however, worries that the plan poses risks. "Who can ensure the security in order to build such a power plant in Albania?"

No reason to worry, replies Peshkaqeni. "We can understand that all the technical security measures are being respected."

Taking issue with environmental groups, Xha Xhai believes they should pay more attention to the current problems, rather than focusing on the potential danger of going nuclear. "According to a report from the World Health Organisation, the impure air in Albania kills at least 200 persons a year, mainly in Tirana -- this without mentioning the large number of viral diseases, especially affecting children. The main cause of this pollution, again on the basis of this report, is vehicle emissions and the bad quality of the gas that is being used."

"Strangely, the biggest fear of the environment defenders is not the today's situation but the future one -- what could happen as a result of Prime Minister Berisha's plan to construct the atomic power plant."

Edrus comments. "The ones who speak like this surely didn't realise that we are the fourth nuclear generation. The construction of an atomic power plant in Albania would be the biggest present that God could give to this country." (SETimes)