Minister: Denmark may lift 40-year-old ban on nuclear energy

Denmark may lift a ban on nuclear energy that dates back 40 years to improve its energy security. This is a major policy shift for a country which has prioritized expanding wind and solar energy.

In an interview with Danish newspaper Politiken published late Tuesday, Lars Aagaard, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Utilities, said that the Danish government would analyse potential benefits from new nuclear technologies. A report is expected to be completed next year.

Aagaard's remarks, confirmed on Wednesday by his ministry, stated that "we can see there is an advancement underway with regard to new nuclear technologies - small modular reactors."

But it is not enough to say that they are capable. "We also need to understand what these technologies mean for the Danish society," he said.

He also rejected the idea that nuclear power would be restored in Denmark after it banned it in 1985.

"We will continue to pursue the energy policy that we have been pursuing in Denmark for many years." Aagaard stated that solar and wind power are the fastest and cheapest way to achieve a green transition.

The Danes were elated in 2005 when Sweden, which borders Copenhagen and is located just across the Oresund Strait, shut down its Barseback nuclear reactor.

Sweden's current government, while it has closed a number of nuclear plants in the last decade, is a strong pro-nuclear advocate and wants to build more capacity.

Aagaard will appear in parliament later on Wednesday to answer questions from the opposition parties who support the revival of nuclear energy. (Reporting and editing by Tomaszjanowski, Louise Breusch Rasmussen, Jacob GronholtPedersen)

(source: Reuters)