Nuclear power is outdated

Might put Sweden in debt for decades

Over the past few decades, the landscape of energy production and distribution has been radically transformed. Advances in the mass production of small, decentralized energy units have completely altered the economic foundations of the energy sector. Technologies like solar panels, wind turbines, battery storage, and even green hydrogen are now being deployed faster, cheaper, and more flexibly than ever before.

Lars Ilshammar writes brilliantly in Dagens Arena that "those who claim that a Sweden that is to be held together must build new nuclear power are not reading the map correctly and are therefore lost in the energy forest.”

Dangerous ideas about public debt

False ideas about public debt and unrealistic hopes for expensive new nuclear power threaten to trap Sweden in unnecessary debt for decades. Instead of the state creating debt free money, nuclear advocates talk generally about “loans“. Bu if the state borrows from abroad, we might get hyperinflation and austerity for decades to come. Just like myths about "the state running out of money" helped dismantle the welfare state, today's nuclear promises could tie up public resources while cheaper, faster green alternatives are available.

Wind, solar and battery storage cheaper

If one looks seriously at the current research, the conclusion is clear: it is both technically feasible and significantly more cost-effective to meet future electricity demand with a smart combination of wind, solar, battery storage, and complementary technologies than with nuclear power. Recent studies show that new nuclear energy is much more expensive than renewable alternatives – both in terms of construction costs and electricity prices for consumers (Forskning.se, 2024).

Moreover, initiatives like the growing cooperation between Norway and the UK on hydrogen development (H2 View) show that clean energy solutions are not just theoretical — they are already shaping real-world industrial policy. Meanwhile, solar energy is now so efficient that panels in Norway can produce as much electricity as in France, despite the differences in sunlight (Ny Teknik).

Large-scale deployment of wind and solar, backed by battery and hydrogen storage, is not just the greenest path forward — it is increasingly the only realistic option to meet the surging electricity needs of industries, according to Sweden's energy experts (Svenska Dagbladet).

Nostalgia and a lack of imagination from nuclear advocates

Meanwhile, continued political obsession with nuclear projects reveals a dangerous combination of nostalgia and a lack of imagination (Dagens Arena). New nuclear reactors are enormously expensive, slow to build, and vulnerable to political, financial, and technical risks. There is a real danger that massive investments could be locked into projects that will not deliver on time — if they ever do at all — at a moment when affordable, scalable solutions are already available (ETC.se).

Enough materials available

In addition, arguments about "material scarcity" for renewable technologies are often exaggerated or outright wrong. Research shows that the world has enough resources to build the wind, solar, and storage systems we need — especially with recycling and improved design (MIT Technology Review, 2023).

In short, governments that ignore these realities are risking both the economy and the climate. A smart, modern energy strategy must prioritize flexibility, speed, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. That future is renewable — and it is already within reach.

Here you can read about all the alternatives with green technology and energy.

#nuclearpower #environment #risk #debt #technology