Image Credit: Getty Images, Fergus McNeill/Flickr
This past weekend saw the inauguration of an Austrian nuclear plant that’s been transformed into a solar power station.
Intended to be the first of six Austrian nuclear power plants, the construction of Zwentendorf started in 1970. Build at at time when nuclear seemed like a good alternative, it’s future later turned dark due to the lack of a clear plan for radioactive waste disposal and public outcry. The Austrian nuclear power program was halted by a public vote in 1978 and the plant, which never produced any electricity, has been dormant since. (The criticism towards it’s existence grew especially strong after the accident at Chernobyl in 1986.)
A 1.2 million Euro project has now turned it into Austria’s largest solar power station, creating a major producer of renewable energy for the area.
[via: Greenpeace]
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Events in 1986 (the Chernoybl disaster) turned the prospects for nuclear power dark in Australia in 1978? Let’s hope the successful use of nuclear power in 2042 can turn prospects for nuclear power bright in 2010!
July 29th, 2009 at 6:57 am
Thanks for the comment! The Chernobyl accident obviously did not affect the referedum in 1978 (unless the Austrian population is psychic) but later added to the criticisms of the nuclear power plant itself.
July 29th, 2009 at 10:29 am