Sweden strikes deal to continue nuclear power
Sweden's centre-left government struck a deal with the opposition on Friday to continue nuclear power for the foreseeable future, backtracking on its pledge to phase out atomic energy.
The government coalition, made up of the Social Democrats and the Greens, had agreed in October 2014 to freeze nuclear energy development, while the opposition has been in favour of building new reactors. The deal is aimed at securing long-term energy supplies to households and industry, the government said.
Sweden has for years struggled to find viable alternative energy sources to replace its nuclear power, with renewable energies not yet able to fully meet the country's needs. Sweden shall have a robust electricity system with a high level of secure supply, low environmental impact and energy at competitive prices, the agreement said.
Friday's deal paves the way for the construction of new reactors to replace the country's ageing ones at the end of their lifespans. We have, in this way, ensured that Sweden will have nuclear power for the foreseeable future, a spokesperson for the conservative Moderate Party, Lars Hjälmered, told reporters.
http://www.thelocal.se/20160610/sweden-agrees-to-continue-nuclear-power