Marc Altés
President and co-founder of Econucleares“Nuclear and renewables are a perfect combination to face climate change"
Bioengineer and nuclear engineer Marc Altés is president of Econucleares, Spain's first pro-nuclear environmental association. In this interview we explore Econucleares' vision of nuclear energy as a key solution to current environmental challenges, and their planned initiatives to promote its continuity.
What motivated you to found Econucleares?
We founded Econucleares to address one of the biggest problems affecting environmentalism and contemporary politics: the lack of scientific rigor. We are facing colossal environmental challenges, and global warming is one of the most urgent ones. However, the solutions proposed by traditional environmentalism are often biased by ignorance, vested interests, and ideological stances, leading to decisions that exacerbate rather than solve problems.
"The data shows that nuclear energy is one of the most effective tools for decarbonizing our economy"
We are currently implementing green policies of questionable effectiveness, which in some cases are even counterproductive for the ecosystem and the development of our society. A clear example of this is the nuclear shutdown plans. The data shows that nuclear energy is one of the most effective tools for decarbonizing our economy. It is a clean, cheap, scalable and extremely stable energy source. These qualities make it complementary to renewable energies, which are intermittent by nature. In short, nuclear and renewable energies are the perfect combination to face climate change.
Did you draw inspiration from the international model of other pro-nuclear environmental associations?
Certainly. These organizations were a great source of inspiration for us. They welcomed us with open arms from the start, offering their support during our consolidation stage. This has allowed us to maintain a cordial an collaborative relationship with them, which is something that has been fundamental to our growth.
What is the impact of members of green parties supporting nucledar energy as a way to reduce emissions?
This has represented a true breakthrough from the dominant way of thinking in Europe. Nuclear energy has been historically stigmatized, especially with traditional environmentalism, which systematically rejected it. This led to the marginalization of nuclear energy both in public opinion and in political initiatives that labelled themselves environmentalists.
In Spain, for instance, nuclear energy has been reduced to a binary debate: the right supports it, whereas the left rejects it. This is extremely problematic because what should be a decision based solely on technical and scientific criteria becomes an ideological issue. Fortunately, things are changing in Europe. A decade ago the future of nuclear energy seemed bleak, but today most countries have abandoned their shutdown plans and are building or planning new nuclear power plants.
"In Europe most countries have abandoned their shutdown plans and are building or planning new nuclear power plants"
We at Econucleares are working to bring this new trend to Spain, which seems to be trapped in a bubble of inertia. We are the only country that is still moving forward with an active nuclear shutdown program, and this leaves us isolated in a decision that goes against the direction that the rest of the world is taking.
How many members does Econucleares have currently, and what notable actions are you planing?
We have over fifty members, which we consider a great achievement given our recent establishment and the modest resources we started with. In the immediate future, we are organizing a large protest in Madrid to express our opposition to the nuclear shutdown plan. We want this demonstration to be an inclusive event, where all people and organizations that share our vision can join. We believe that the key to stopping this mistake is to put up a common front that is as large as possible. We are convinced that, if we unite our forces, our message will reach further.
"We are organizing a large protest in Madrid to express our opposition to the nuclear shutdown plan"
What do you think would be the main environmental and economic consequences if the nuclear shutdown proceeds as scheduled?
The consequences would be severe. If the nuclear shutdown is carried out, part of the energy currently produced by nuclear power plants will be replaced by fossil fuels, especially natural gas in Spain's case. This is because renewable energies, which are supposed to replace nuclear, are intermittent. There will be times when wind and solar production will be insufficient. Although the government is embracing storage technologies to mitigate this intermittency, the reality is that we lack the necessary technical and economic resources to achieve a 100% renewable energy grid. Additionally, if we consider that electricity demand will increase due to our need to decarbonize sectors like transportation and heating, the situation becomes even more complex.
“We lack the necessary technical and economic resources to achieve a 100% renewable energy grid”
Therefore, it is likely that we will resort to burning fossil fuels, as happened in Germany after the nuclear shutdown. This will lead to an increase in emissions, higher electricity costs (since the price of gas is volatile), deindustrialization, and a rise in unemployment. And, as if that weren’t enough, it will worsen the instability of an electric grid that is already struggling due to the intermittency of renewables.
How does Econucleares fight the lack of knowledge on this technology?
We are aware that our biggest challenge is precisely the lack of information. To address this, we developed several outreach strategies. We use social media to communicate basic concepts about nuclear energy to the public in a simple and engaging way.
Recently, we organized an initiative where three popular science YouTubers visited a Spanish nuclear power plant. For the first time in the country’s history, Aythami Soto (@Pontebata), Jordi Pereyra (@CienciaDeSofa), and Luis Horas will show on their channels what a nuclear power plant in operation looks like and how it works.
But not everything happens in the digital world. We participate in science fairs and open talks where, through experiments and real objects, we demonstrate to the audience the secrets behind nuclear energy. We also give theoretical and practical lectures in schools, high schools and universities, aiming to spark scientific interest in young people.
In March 2024, you organized the first demonstration in Barcelona against the nuclear shutdown. What were the results?
The very fact of carrying out the first demonstration against the nuclear shutdown in Spain's history is already a great achievement. This protest gave us visibility in national and international media. Nowadays, if you search for information about the pro-nuclear movement on the Internet, our demonstration in Barcelona is one of the first results you get.
In addition to the media coverage, this action provided us with the necessary experience to organize future mobilizations more efficiently and effectively.
In addition to presiding over Econucleares, you work as a nuclear engineer at IDOM, a consulting and engineering firm. Generally speaking, what does your job entail?
My work at IDOM focuses on projects related to radioactive waste management and the decommissioning of nuclear facilities. It might seem paradoxical that, on one hand, I am involved in dismantling nuclear plants, and on the other I preside over a pro-nuclear association, but there is no contradiction.
Waste management and decommissioning are essential parts of the nuclear industry's life cycle. I love my job because it helps ensure that nuclear energy remains a clean and safe energy source, both for the environment and society.
"Radioactive waste can be used to produce new nuclear fuel"
Moreover, I have always believed that radioactive waste, especially spent fuel, holds great potential. For example, the waste can be used to produce new nuclear fuel. But, beyond its energy value, I'm fascinated by the fact that it contains some of the most valuable and rarest elements on the planet. In a way, nuclear technology has managed to fulfill the dream of the ancient alchemists by transmuting a common element like uranium into exotic metals such as rhodium, palladium, and ruthenium.
What would you like to add?
Now, more than ever, if we want nuclear energy to have a future in our country we must take a step forward. It's essential that the debate is reopened and that the public has the opportunity to analyze the information objectively to make an informed decision. The real issue is not the lack of support or opposition to nuclear energy, but the facts that most citizens haven't even had the chance to participate in this debate.
"The most common reaction I notice when I speak to people about nuclear power is surprise"
In my experience as a science communicator, the most common reaction I observe when talking to people about nuclear energy is surprise. Most people don't have a solid opinion on the subject. However, when the benefits and real implications of this energy source are explained to them, their stance changes quickly. This shows that lack of awareness is our main obstacle.
"Saving nuclear energy means ensuring a cleaner, more sustainable future with access to reliable, affordable, and fair energy for everyone"
For nuclear energy to have a future in Spain, we need to reach all those people who have not yet considered this issue. Saving nuclear energy means ensuring a cleaner, more sustainable future with access to reliable, affordable and fair energy for everyone. That’s why it’s crucial to act now and reverse the situation we are in. It would be very sad if, just when nuclear energy is experiencing a global revival, we decide to turn our back on it.
