A Burgeoning Micropower Movement

"According to projections by the International Energy Agency and a handful of energy industry experts, 2005 was the first year nuclear power’s electricity output dropped behind that of small-scale plants - producing low or no carbon dioxide emissions," writes Michael Brooks in New Scientist (22.4.2006). This could be a knock for the nuclear industry already struggling to get back on its feet. Even though nuclear power faces big problems such as safety and waste issues, governments are keen to start building a new generation of nuclear generators. However, their success is being threatened by a fast growth worldwide in small-scale renewable technologies such as solar power and wind farm projects.