Wind vs Nuclear

Wind is kicking ass. From Tree Hugger.

Worldwatch Institute is reporting in a Vital Signs report that in 2007 new wind power installations outpaced new nuclear power plant construction by 10-to-1. Globally, the wind industry added 20,000 MW of new capacity last year, while the nuclear industry added less than 2,000 MW. Three new reactors in India, China, Romania accounted for this small amount of growth.

The report notes that though 34 reactors are under construction around the world—20 of which are in Asia, with China and India having 6 a piece—12 of these have been under construction for 20 years or more. Worldwatch reports that construction problems, engineering challenges and safety concerns are delaying many projects. Financial issues also are an issue: According to Moody’s credit rating agency, “many of the current expectations regarding new nuclear generation are overly ambitious” and costs for next-generation plants are higher than the usual $3,500 per kilowatt figure used by the industry.