Sweden and nuclear energy

Sir, – Regarding the recent letter (May 24th) suggesting that Sweden, with its high GDP and very low carbon emissions, disproved the recent emphasis on the dangers caused by a fixation on GDP at the expense of the environment, one must take into account their low electricity emissions rate depending on their access to large supplies of hydro power and biomass, contributing to high levels of renewable energy and nuclear.

At present, most of their electricity is generated from low-emissions hydro (43 per cent) and nuclear power (31 per cent) provided by six reactors.

Biomass-based thermal and 17 per cent wind power supply the remainder.

Though not building any nuclear plants at the moment, their research council is providing funding for nuclear power research in Swedish universities and allowing Swedish researchers to take part in international research. – Yours, etc,