Nuclear Power

Anti nuclear power protestors demonstrate xith placards reading 'Nuclear power blocks renewable energies' (C) and 'Sun, wind and water instead of nuclear power' (R) outside the German chancellery in Berlin, September 28, 2010, while the German cabinet decides on an extension of the duration of Germany's 17 nuclear power stations of about eight to 14 years.

Anti-nuclear power protestors stage a demonstration outside the Reichstag building hosting the German parliament in Berlin on September 9, 2010. Chancellor Angela Merkel hailed on September 6, 2010 as a 'revolution' government proposals plans to postpone Germany's exit from nuclear power, setting up what one opposition MP called a 'fiery autumn' of protests. Opposition parties and environmentalists have vowed to fight the planned extension in the lifetime of Germany's 17 nuclear reactors for an average of 12 years beyond the scheduled shutdown of around 2020. Banner reads 'Turn off nuclear power plants'.

Anti-nuclear power protestors stage a demonstration and set up yellow barrels outside the Reichstag building hosting the German parliament in Berlin on September 9, 2010. Chancellor Angela Merkel hailed on September 6, 2010 as a 'revolution' government proposals plans to postpone Germany's exit from nuclear power, setting up what one opposition MP called a 'fiery autumn' of protests. Opposition parties and environmentalists have vowed to fight the planned extension in the lifetime of Germany's 17 nuclear reactors for an average of 12 years beyond the scheduled shutdown of around 2020. Banner reads 'Turn off nuclear power plants'.

Anti nuclear power protestors demonstrate with a placard reading 'With 'Shutdown' we didn't mean your brain' outside the German chancellery in Berlin, September 28, 2010, while the German cabinet decides on an extension of the duration of Germany's 17 nuclear power stations of about eight to 14 years.

Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan (R) with the Environment Minister of India Jairam Ramesh give a joint press conference in Mumbai on November 28, 2010. The Central government has given a green signal for the construction of nuclear power plant in Maharashtra. The Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh issued the clearance for the Jaitapur nuclear power plant. The new nuclear power plant will be set up by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) with help of French company Areva. It was India's first plant under civil nuclear agreement with France.

Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan (R) with the Environment Minister of India Jairam Ramesh give a joint press conference in Mumbai on November 28, 2010. The Central government has given a green signal for the construction of nuclear power plant in Maharashtra. The Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh issued the clearance for the Jaitapur nuclear power plant. The new nuclear power plant will be set up by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) with help of French company Areva.

Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan (R) with the Environment Minister of India Jairam Ramesh give a joint press conference in Mumbai on November 28, 2010. The Central government has given a green signal for the construction of nuclear power plant in Maharashtra. The Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh issued the clearance for the Jaitapur nuclear power plant. The new nuclear power plant will be set up by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) with help of French company Areva.

Anti-nuclear power protestors wave flags and stage a demonstration outside the Reichstag building hosting the German parliament in Berlin on September 9, 2010. Chancellor Angela Merkel hailed on September 6, 2010 as a 'revolution' government proposals plans to postpone Germany's exit from nuclear power, setting up what one opposition MP called a 'fiery autumn' of protests. Opposition parties and environmentalists have vowed to fight the planned extension in the lifetime of Germany's 17 nuclear reactors for an average of 12 years beyond the scheduled shutdown of around 2020.

Sergei Kirienko, General Director of the Russian nuclear power builder Rosatom group, is seen signing an agreement on building a nuclear power plant in Vietnam during a signing ceremony witnessed by visiting Russian president Dmitry Medvedev and his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Minh Triet (not in the picture) on October 31, 2010 at the presidential palace in Hanoi. Russia and Vietnam signed a deal worth an estimated 5.6 billion dollars for the energy-hungry Southeast Asian country's first nuclear power plant.

The Brokdorf nuclear power plant is pictured next to the residential houses in Brokdorf, northern Germany, on September 22, 2010. Germany's opposition Greens hit a new record high in the opinion polls on September 22, 2010, now sharing second place among the parties amid public ire over the government's nuclear energy policy. The German government plans to extend the life of Germany's 17 nuclear reactors beyond a planned shutdown of around 2020.

The Brunsbuettel nuclear power plant and electric power lines are pictured on September 21, 2010 in Brunsbuettel, northern Germany. Germany's opposition Greens hit a new record high in the opinion polls on September 22, 2010, now sharing second place among the parties amid public ire over the government's nuclear energy policy. The German government plans to extend the life of Germany's 17 nuclear reactors beyond a planned shutdown of around 2020.

The Brunsbuettel nuclear power plant and electric power lines are pictured on September 21, 2010 in Brunsbuettel, northern Germany. Germany's opposition Greens hit a new record high in the opinion polls on September 22, 2010, now sharing second place among the parties amid public ire over the government's nuclear energy policy. The German government plans to extend the life of Germany's 17 nuclear reactors beyond a planned shutdown of around 2020.

The Brokdorf nuclear power plant is pictured on September 21, 2010 in Brokdorf, northern Germany. Germany's opposition Greens hit a new record high in the opinion polls on September 22, 2010, now sharing second place among the parties amid public ire over the government's nuclear energy policy. The German government plans to extend the life of Germany's 17 nuclear reactors beyond a planned shutdown of around 2020.

Anti-nuclear power protestors march with flags and balloons during a demonstration on September 18, 2010 in the center of Berlin. Tens of thousands of demonstrators are expected to take part in the protest against highly divisive government plans to extend the life of Germany's 17 nuclear reactors beyond a planned shutdown of around 2020.

The Brunsbuettel nuclear power plant is pictured on September 21, 2010 in Brunsbuettel, northern Germany. Germany's opposition Greens hit a new record high in the opinion polls on September 22, 2010, now sharing second place among the parties amid public ire over the government's nuclear energy policy. The German government plans to extend the life of Germany's 17 nuclear reactors beyond a planned shutdown of around 2020.

Anti-nuclear power protestors march with flags and balloons during a demonstration on September 18, 2010 in the center of Berlin. Ten thousands of demonstrators are expected to take part in the protest against highly divisive government plans to extend the life of Germany's 17 nuclear reactors beyond a planned shutdown of around 2020.

The Brunsbuettel nuclear power plant is pictured on September 21, 2010 in Brunsbuettel, northern Germany. Germany's opposition Greens hit a new record high in the opinion polls on September 22, 2010, now sharing second place among the parties amid public ire over the government's nuclear energy policy. The German government plans to extend the life of Germany's 17 nuclear reactors beyond a planned shutdown of around 2020.

The Brokdorf nuclear power plant is pictured on September 21, 2010 in Brokdorf, northern Germany. Germany's opposition Greens hit a new record high in the opinion polls on September 22, 2010, now sharing second place among the parties amid public ire over the government's nuclear energy policy. The German government plans to extend the life of Germany's 17 nuclear reactors beyond a planned shutdown of around 2020.

The Brokdorf nuclear power plant is pictured on September 21, 2010 in Brokdorf, northern Germany. Germany's opposition Greens hit a new record high in the opinion polls on September 22, 2010, now sharing second place among the parties amid public ire over the government's nuclear energy policy. The German government plans to extend the life of Germany's 17 nuclear reactors beyond a planned shutdown of around 2020.

The Brokdorf nuclear power plant is reflected in tha water in Brokdorf, northern Germany, on September 22, 2010. Germany's opposition Greens hit a new record high in the opinion polls on September 22, 2010, now sharing second place among the parties amid public ire over the government's nuclear energy policy. The German government plans to extend the life of Germany's 17 nuclear reactors beyond a planned shutdown of around 2020.

The Brokdorf nuclear power plant is pictured in Brokdorf, northern Germany, on September 22, 2010. Germany's opposition Greens hit a new record high in the opinion polls on September 22, 2010, now sharing second place among the parties amid public ire over the government's nuclear energy policy. The German government plans to extend the life of Germany's 17 nuclear reactors beyond a planned shutdown of around 2020.

General wiev of Chernobyl nuclear power plant, 08 December 2005. President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko visited the plant during nuclear fuel unloading works. The visit of the station, the site of the world's worst nuclear accident in 1986, took place ahead of the fifth anniversary of its closing on December 15.

The Brokdorf nuclear power plant is pictured on September 21, 2010 in Brokdorf, northern Germany. Germany's opposition Greens hit a new record high in the opinion polls on September 22, 2010, now sharing second place among the parties amid public ire over the government's nuclear energy policy. The German government plans to extend the life of Germany's 17 nuclear reactors beyond a planned shutdown of around 2020.

The Brokdorf nuclear power plant is reflected in tha water in Brokdorf, northern Germany, on September 22, 2010. Germany's opposition Greens hit a new record high in the opinion polls on September 22, 2010, now sharing second place among the parties amid public ire over the government's nuclear energy policy. The German government plans to extend the life of Germany's 17 nuclear reactors beyond a planned shutdown of around 2020.

The Brokdorf nuclear power plant is pictured on September 21, 2010 in Brokdorf, northern Germany. Germany's opposition Greens hit a new record high in the opinion polls on September 22, 2010, now sharing second place among the parties amid public ire over the government's nuclear energy policy. The German government plans to extend the life of Germany's 17 nuclear reactors beyond a planned shutdown of around 2020.

The Brunsbuettel nuclear power plant is pictured on September 21, 2010 in Brunsbuettel, northern Germany. Germany's opposition Greens hit a new record high in the opinion polls on September 22, 2010, now sharing second place among the parties amid public ire over the government's nuclear energy policy. The German government plans to extend the life of Germany's 17 nuclear reactors beyond a planned shutdown of around 2020.

The Brokdorf nuclear power plant is pictured on September 21, 2010 in Brokdorf, northern Germany. Germany's opposition Greens hit a new record high in the opinion polls on September 22, 2010, now sharing second place among the parties amid public ire over the government's nuclear energy policy. The German government plans to extend the life of Germany's 17 nuclear reactors beyond a planned shutdown of around 2020.

The Brokdorf nuclear power plant is pictured on September 21, 2010 in Brokdorf, northern Germany. Germany's opposition Greens hit a new record high in the opinion polls on September 22, 2010, now sharing second place among the parties amid public ire over the government's nuclear energy policy. The German government plans to extend the life of Germany's 17 nuclear reactors beyond a planned shutdown of around 2020.

The Brokdorf nuclear power plant (back) is pictured next to the residential houses in Brokdorf, northern Germany, on September 22, 2010. Germany's opposition Greens hit a new record high in the opinion polls on September 22, 2010, now sharing second place among the parties amid public ire over the government's nuclear energy policy. The German government plans to extend the life of Germany's 17 nuclear reactors beyond a planned shutdown of around 2020.

The Brokdorf nuclear power plant (back) is pictured next to the residential houses in Brokdorf, northern Germany, on September 22, 2010. Germany's opposition Greens hit a new record high in the opinion polls on September 22, 2010, now sharing second place among the parties amid public ire over the government's nuclear energy policy. The German government plans to extend the life of Germany's 17 nuclear reactors beyond a planned shutdown of around 2020.

The Brokdorf nuclear power plant is pictured in Brokdorf, northern Germany, on September 22, 2010. Germany's opposition Greens hit a new record high in the opinion polls on September 22, 2010, now sharing second place among the parties amid public ire over the government's nuclear energy policy. The German government plans to extend the life of Germany's 17 nuclear reactors beyond a planned shutdown of around 2020.

The Brokdorf nuclear power plant is pictured in Brokdorf, northern Germany, on September 22, 2010. Germany's opposition Greens hit a new record high in the opinion polls on September 22, 2010, now sharing second place among the parties amid public ire over the government's nuclear energy policy. The German government plans to extend the life of Germany's 17 nuclear reactors beyond a planned shutdown of around 2020.

The Brokdorf nuclear power plant is pictured in Brokdorf, northern Germany, on September 22, 2010. Germany's opposition Greens hit a new record high in the opinion polls on September 22, 2010, now sharing second place among the parties amid public ire over the government's nuclear energy policy. The German government plans to extend the life of Germany's 17 nuclear reactors beyond a planned shutdown of around 2020.

The Brokdorf nuclear power plant is pictured on September 21, 2010 in Brokdorf, northern Germany. Germany's opposition Greens hit a new record high in the opinion polls on September 22, 2010, now sharing second place among the parties amid public ire over the government's nuclear energy policy. The German government plans to extend the life of Germany's 17 nuclear reactors beyond a planned shutdown of around 2020.

The Brokdorf nuclear power plant is pictured on September 21, 2010 in Brokdorf, northern Germany. Germany's opposition Greens hit a new record high in the opinion polls on September 22, 2010, now sharing second place among the parties amid public ire over the government's nuclear energy policy. The German government plans to extend the life of Germany's 17 nuclear reactors beyond a planned shutdown of around 2020.

The Brokdorf nuclear power plant (back) is pictured next solar panels in Brokdorf, northern Germany, on September 22, 2010. Germany's opposition Greens hit a new record high in the opinion polls on September 22, 2010, now sharing second place among the parties amid public ire over the government's nuclear energy policy. The German government plans to extend the life of Germany's 17 nuclear reactors beyond a planned shutdown of around 2020.

The Brokdorf nuclear power plant (back) is pictured next solar panels in Brokdorf, northern Germany, on September 22, 2010. Germany's opposition Greens hit a new record high in the opinion polls on September 22, 2010, now sharing second place among the parties amid public ire over the government's nuclear energy policy. The German government plans to extend the life of Germany's 17 nuclear reactors beyond a planned shutdown of around 2020.

The Brokdorf nuclear power plant (back) is pictured next solar panels in Brokdorf, northern Germany, on September 22, 2010. Germany's opposition Greens hit a new record high in the opinion polls on September 22, 2010, now sharing second place among the parties amid public ire over the government's nuclear energy policy. The German government plans to extend the life of Germany's 17 nuclear reactors beyond a planned shutdown of around 2020.

Anti-nuclear power protestors march during a demonstration on September 18, 2010 in the center of Berlin. Ten thousands of demonstrators are expected to take part in the protest against highly divisive government plans to extend the life of Germany's 17 nuclear reactors beyond a planned shutdown of around 2020.

Anti nuclear power protesters release ballons next to an effigy of German Chancellor Angela Merkel outside the Chancellery in Berlin, September 5, 2010. Merkel and heads of her coalition met at the Chancellery to hammer out an energy concept and to negociate the operation times of the countries nuclear reactors.

BERLIN - SEPTEMBER 18: A sticker of an anti-nuclear activist's nose reads 'Nuclear Power? - No thanks' during a demonstration on September 18, 2010 in Berlin, Germany. Around 100.000 protestors demonstrate against highly divisive government plans to extend the life of Germany's 15 nuclear reactors beyond a planned shutdown of around 2020.

An anti nuclear power protester holds a net of ballons to be released during a demonstration outside the German Chancellor Angela Merkel's office in Berlin, September 5, 2010. Merkel and heads of her coalition met at the Chancellery to hammer out an energy concept and to negociate the operation times of the countries nuclear reactors.

FREIBURG IM BREISGAU, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 20: A bouquet of flowers with a sticker that reads 'nuclear power? no thanks' is seen during the Greens Party national convention on November 20, 2010 in Freiburg, Germany. The German Greens have seen a meteoric rise in their popularity in the last year that brought them to second place in nationwide opinion polls in October as support for the current German government coalition of Christian Democrats (CDU and CSU) and Free Democrats (FDP) wanes. The Greens have also benefited from current political issues, including the government-sanctioned extension of the working life of Germany's nuclear power plants.

German, French and Luxembourgian antinuclear activists protest against Cattenom's nuclear power plant, on September 18, 2010 in Perl, on the border between Germany, France and Luxembourg. Tens of thousands demonstrated against the government's proposal to extend the life of Germany's nuclear power plants for another decade or more. The banner in French reads 'No nuclear for the steal works in Luxembourg'.

A file photo taken 14 April 1998 shows emloyees at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant walking past a control panel of the destroyed fourth power block of the plant. Ukraine marks 26 April 2006 the 20th anniversary of an accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, which affected millions of people, gobbled up astronomic amount of international funds and remains a grim symbol of hazzards of atomic energy.

Picture taken 21 October 2003 of one of six reactors (block 2) at Bulgaria's only nuclear power plant near the town of Kozloduy, some 180 km north from capital Sofia. The two 440-megawatt, Soviet-made water pressure reactors, (number 3 & 4) in operation since 1974 & 1975 at this nuclear power station shut down 31 December 2002 as part of condition for Bulgaria's future European Union membership, because the EU considers them unsafe. The two reactors produced the cheapest electricity in the Balkans. Two other, modernized version of the same type remain in operation at Kozloduy.

A general view shows the reactor building at the Bushehr nuclear power plant in southern Iran, 1200 kms south of Tehran, on August 20, 2010. After decades of delay and sanctions, Iran will launch on August 21, 2010 its Russian-built first nuclear power plant in the face of Western suspicion that its atomic programme has a covert military agenda.

German, French and Luxembourgian antinuclear activists protest against Cattenom's nuclear power plant, on September 18, 2010 in Perl, on the border between Germany, France and Luxembourg. Tens of thousands demonstrated the government's proposal to extend the life of Germany's nuclear power plants for another decade or more.

A file photo taken 14 April 1998 shows an emloyee at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in front of a control panel of the destroyed fourth power bloc of the plant. Ukraine marks 26 April 2006 the 20th anniversary of an accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, which affected millions of people, gobbled up astronomic amount of international funds and remains a grim symbol of hazzards of atomic energy.

Picture taken 21 October 2003 of Bulgaria's only nuclear power plant near the town of Kozloduy, some 180 km north from capital Sofia. The two 440-megawatt, Soviet-made water pressure reactors, (number 3 & 4) in operation since 1974 & 1975 at this nuclear power station shut down 31 December 2002 as part of condition for Bulgaria's future European Union membership, because the EU considers them unsafe. The two reactors produced the cheapest electricity in the Balkans. Two other, modernized version of the same type remain in operation at Kozloduy.