Nuclear power is made without burning fuels that release harmful gases. Some people argue that nuclear power is also cheap because only small amounts of fuel are needed to create lots of energy.
1 kg of uranium produces as much energy as 3,000 tonnes of coal!
When the nucleus of some materials – such as uranium – is broken up, a huge amount of energy is released. Nuclear power stations only use a small amount of fuel, unlike the large quantities of coal, gas and oil needed to make electricity. This could make nuclear power a cheap source of alternative energy.
Once a nuclear reactor has been built, it can make cheap electricity.
We are using more and more energy but we are running out of fuels that make electricity, such as coal, gas and oil. As they run out, these fuels are becoming more expensive. Nuclear reactors are very expensive to build, but they only use a small amount of fuel.
Nuclear power does not release harmful gases.
When we burn fossil fuels we release harmful gases into the air. The gases trap heat around our planet, which is causing global warming. Nuclear power does not produce this type of pollution.
