Europe’s hunt for a viable energy source

The hunt for viable alternatives to traditional energy supplies is intensifying. The price of gas and oil is soaring.

Political uncertainty bedevils supplier countries in eastern Europe, the Middle East and Latin America. In addition, the evidence of climate change is mounting, making the use of fossil fuels increasingly unpalatable.

But what alternatives can turn Europe away from its traditional reliance on oil, gas and coal? Europe remains a long way from agreeing the best way forward.

In 2001, the 25 countries that now make up the EU derived 5.6% of their energy from renewable sources. The renewables directive, agreed that year, asked Europe to push this up to 12%. The latest statistics, published in June by the EU-sponsored renewables observers EUobserv'er, show that last year the figure had crept up to 5.61%.

There is considerable doubt over how the share of energy from renewables can be increased to 12%.

Most renewable energy in Europe comes from large hydropower plants and the potential for growth in this sector is generally agreed to be nearly exhausted. Environmentalists are also uncomfortable with an energy source that can cause considerable damage to the surrounding wildlife.

Wind power, solar power and biomass - the other main contenders in the renewables sector - face various economic and even environmental barriers before they can fill the gap ahead of the 12% target.

With faith in these traditional renewable sources wavering, many Europeans have turned their attention to an alternative energy type thought only recently to have had its day: nuclear power.

While the 1990s saw many EU governments agree to phase out existing nuclear power plants, 21st century energy worries have seen many of those promised phase-outs falter. The UK and Finland have even taken steps towards building new nuclear reactors.

Nuclear energy however faces enormous challenges to winning popular support. It is doubtful whether Europeans can be persuaded that, when it comes to energy, nuclear is the only alternative.

The hunt for viable alternatives to traditional energy supplies is intensifying. The price of gas and oil is soaring.