I would like to offer this article as a follow up to my original article of July 15, 2024 and to reply to various comments from concerned readers. My purpose in writing the original article was not to interfere with the energy policies of the Bermuda Government or those of Bermuda Electric Light Company, but rather to bring forward my insights to the energy marketplace given my 45-year work history.

The island has given my family and me great joy on visits and during my business trips.

To idly stand by and watch as Bermuda’s proposed energy strategy could result in, at best, intermittent energy supply or subject the island to catastrophic disasters and prolonged outages. Since Bermuda is a financial centre, an insurance haven and a tourist mecca, safe, reliable and effective electricity is not a luxury but a critical need.

Now to address the comments to my original article.

“Bermuda is too small to risk a nuclear event”.

In the original article, the three epic nuclear disasters — Three-Mile Island, Chernobyl and Fukushima — were addressed. Most of those issues have no bearing on the small nuclear reactor technology in play today. An advantage would be to barge or ship-mount the reactors, so that in the unlikely event of a problem the vessel could be moved a safe distance and downwind from Bermuda. That same strategy could be employed in case of a severe hurricane.

“… the thought of this government operating and/or regulating a nuclear reactor is terrifying”.

The SMR contractor would most likely be the operator or a contracted, experienced operator could be engaged to administer the project.

“Where exactly on our 21 square miles are we going to put this nuclear power plant so that it is far enough from residents to be safe...”

Great question and the answer was partially covered in the first comment response. The simple answer is to vessel mount the unit(s). If there is an incident at the facility or an approaching hurricane has painted a bull’s-eye on the island disconnect from the utility interconnect move the vessel to a safe location when the problem is solved move the unit back, reconnect and you’re back to normal.

“... tourists will be simply flocking to sunbathe, snorkel and dine out right next to a nuclear power plant!!!”

As opposed to being beheaded snorkelling under a delaminating or jettisoned turbine blade or swimming with fibreglass shards?

Think Vineyard Wind, which had a 300ft piece of turbine blade plus eight to ten-inch shards shutting off large areas to both commercial and recreational boating for an extended time period. Given the reality of climate change, many environmental groups are now supporting nuclear power owing to its zero-emissions profile. The state of California is thinking of extending the life of its remaining nuclear plant. At present,Texas is a major proponent of nuclear new builds. South Carolina is moving in the same direction. At the same time, Germany is once again looking at nuclear, as are Japan and France. The US Government is investing billions in nuclear projects and technology.

The “Lyle Langley” comment was somewhat offensive. I’m not selling anything but simply making the island aware that putting all your faith in wind and solar will not give you reliable electricity. You may also consider researching a topic and an author before being critical.

A few random thoughts on nuclear power:

• Refuelling periods can be as long as 20 years versus every two years for a conventional reactor

• The modules are factory-produced; therefore, no weather delays, as would be the case with wind and solar. With those technologies, the construction and repair windows in the Atlantic would be short because of extreme weather conditions

• Damage to a nuclear facility would be much less than for solar panels or reef-mounted turbines

• The United States Navy has an exemplary safety record. And its aircraft carriers consistently provide heat, electricity and steam for upwards of 5,000 sailors while propelling that ships in excess of 40kts

I would be happy to speak at a public forum as the guest of the Bermuda Government to address any questions for the general public or the island’s political base.

• Bob Percopo is the chief operating officer of United Nuclear Group Inc