There will be no carbon neutrality in 2050 without nuclear power, argues Pierre Fitzgibbon

Finance and Energy Minister Pierre Fitzgibbon says those who think the planet could be decarbonised by 2050 without nuclear power are “wrong”.

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The minister said he “respects” that Quebec is “against it at the moment” but believes nuclear power will help achieve our goals of reducing greenhouse gases and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

“I want to say one thing. Those who think we can decarbonize the planet in 2050 without nuclear power are wrong,” he pointed out.

However, the minister assured that there are no nuclear projects in the pipeline in the short term, but “an analysis needs to be done”.

According to Radio-Canada, an analysis by AtkinsRealis, a report presented in the National Assembly, indicates there are no major obstacles to restarting the Gentilly-2 nuclear power plant at Beaconcore.

No restart

This summer, Hydro-Québec's new boss Michel Sabia launched a feasibility study on restarting the Gentilly-2 nuclear power plant, which has been idle since 2012, our parliamentary office revealed. Decarbonize Quebec. The announcement fueled a debate over nuclear power in Quebec.

However, after reflection and due to a lack of social acceptance, Hydro-Québec has abandoned its study on restarting the plant, CEO Michel Sabia assured a parliamentary committee this fall.

For now, Hydro-Québec has promised that nuclear power will not be part of its plan before 2035. However, Hydro is interested in the potential of small modular reactors.