Comparing Off-Shore Wind and Nuclear Energy

Those keeping track of the Atlantic Wind Connection and its dreams to build out 60 gigawatts of off-shore wind in the shallow waters off the mid-Atlantic coast will want to check out this article.  The analysis suggests that the cost per kilowatt-hour will be approximately twice that of nuclear, yet I find this hard to believe, given recent events that include outrageous budget overruns on nuclear projects, and ever-growing public outcry over operational safety and waste-disposal issues.

I’m reminded of a breakfast meeting I had with an eco-journalist a couple of months ago.  He’s a proponent of nuclear, and, as most of them do, he points out that today we have 4th or 5th generation nuclear.  But, he quips, “We also have 4th or 5th generation anti-nuclear protesters, as well.”