<P> Similar events have happened elsewhere in Europe during those same hot summers . If global warming continues, this disruption is likely to increase or alternatively, station operators could instead retro - fit other means of cooling, like cooling towers, despite these frequently being large structures and therefore sometimes unpopular with the public . </P> <P> There is an ongoing debate on the relative benefits of nuclear power compared to renewable energy sources for the generation of low - carbon electricity . Proponents of renewable energy argue that wind power and solar power are already cheaper and safer than nuclear power . Nuclear power proponents argue that renewable energy sources such as wind and solar do not offer the scalability necessary for a large scale decarbonization of the electric grid, mainly due to their intermittency . Although the majority of installed renewable energy across the world is currently in the form of hydro power, solar and wind power are growing at a much higher pace, especially in developed countries . </P> <P> Several studies report that it is in principle possible to cover most of energy generation with renewable sources . The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has said that if governments were supportive, and the full complement of renewable energy technologies were deployed, renewable energy supply could account for almost 80% of the world's energy use within forty years . Rajendra Pachauri, chairman of the IPCC, said the necessary investment in renewables would cost only about 1% of global GDP annually . This approach could contain greenhouse gas levels to less than 450 parts per million, the safe level beyond which climate change becomes catastrophic and irreversible . </P> <P> However, other studies suggest that solar and wind energy are not cost - effective compared to nuclear power . The Brookings Institution published The Net Benefits of Low and No - Carbon Electricity Technologies in 2014 which states, after performing an energy and emissions cost analysis, that "The net benefits of new nuclear, hydro, and natural gas combined cycle plants far outweigh the net benefits of new wind or solar plants", with the most cost effective low carbon power technology being determined to be nuclear power . </P>

Where can the resource for nuclear energy be found