I would guess it is the capital cost of building a new plant. Cost overruns often happen, sometimes because of licensing requirements. In the present climate with having to raise large capital sums, this could be a worry for electric supply companies, though as interest rates are low this may make it easier.
There is also a concern over the costs of disposing of spent nuclear fuel, which has been stored on sites so far, in the US. Eventually some long term disposal must be organised-who is going to pay for this?
The primary concern associated with the use of nuclear power is the risk of nuclear accidents, such as those seen at Chernobyl and Fukushima, which can have serious consequences for human health and the environment. Additionally, the long-term storage of radioactive waste produced by nuclear power plants poses challenges in terms of safety and disposal.
The Three Mile Island nuclear accident in 1979, where a partial meltdown occurred at a nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania, sparked concern among Americans about the safety of nuclear power. The incident led to increased scrutiny of nuclear plants and raised questions about the potential risks associated with nuclear energy.
The short-term effects of nuclear power can include the generation of electricity with low carbon emissions, providing a reliable source of energy, and supporting economic growth in countries with nuclear power plants. However, there are concerns about the safety and environmental risks associated with nuclear power, such as accidents, waste disposal, and the potential for nuclear proliferation.
Utility decisions regarding which technological option to select when creating additional electricity generating capacity are chiefly based on an evaluation of the comparative costs of the options available. However most of the time these costs do not fully reflect the broader impacts ("externalities") of this energy choice on the economy and society at large. To formulate their future energy and resource development policies governments therefore have to take them into account whether of an economic environmental health or social nature which may support or discourage the adoption of a particular technology.
Some of the biggest concerns about nuclear energy include the risk of accidents leading to radiation leaks, the long-term storage of nuclear waste, and the potential for nuclear proliferation and weapons development. Additionally, the high costs of building and maintaining nuclear power plants can be a significant concern.
Colin Sweet has written: 'The price of nuclear power' -- subject(s): Costs, Environmental aspects of Nuclear power plants, Nuclear industry, Nuclear power plants 'Fourth Arab-Israeli war' 'Nuclear plot in Europe' 'World economic crisis' -- subject(s): Economic forecasting, Economic history, World politics 'The costs of nuclear power'
The primary concern associated with the use of nuclear power is the risk of nuclear accidents, such as those seen at Chernobyl and Fukushima, which can have serious consequences for human health and the environment. Additionally, the long-term storage of radioactive waste produced by nuclear power plants poses challenges in terms of safety and disposal.
The radioactivity of the spent fuel, and the possibility of release to the surroundingsThe biggest concern about nuclear power is the possible meltdown of the reactor causing a massive release of radiation material into the atmosphere.
Benjamin K. Sovacool has written: 'The international politics of nuclear power' -- subject(s): International cooperation, Nuclear energy, Political aspects, Economic aspects, Nuclear power plants 'The international politics of nuclear power' -- subject(s): International cooperation, Nuclear energy, Political aspects, Economic aspects, Nuclear power plants 'Energy access, poverty, and development' -- subject(s): Small power production facilities, Government policy, Renewable energy sources, Rural development, Energy policy
Nuclear power plants are capital intensive power plants and hence it is more economic to operate them at high capacity factors (or as base load plants)
The Three Mile Island nuclear accident in 1979, where a partial meltdown occurred at a nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania, sparked concern among Americans about the safety of nuclear power. The incident led to increased scrutiny of nuclear plants and raised questions about the potential risks associated with nuclear energy.
The short-term effects of nuclear power can include the generation of electricity with low carbon emissions, providing a reliable source of energy, and supporting economic growth in countries with nuclear power plants. However, there are concerns about the safety and environmental risks associated with nuclear power, such as accidents, waste disposal, and the potential for nuclear proliferation.
G. Woite has written: 'Economic evaluation of bids for nuclear power plants' -- subject(s): Estimates, Letting of contracts, Nuclear power plants, Specifications
Utility decisions regarding which technological option to select when creating additional electricity generating capacity are chiefly based on an evaluation of the comparative costs of the options available. However most of the time these costs do not fully reflect the broader impacts ("externalities") of this energy choice on the economy and society at large. To formulate their future energy and resource development policies governments therefore have to take them into account whether of an economic environmental health or social nature which may support or discourage the adoption of a particular technology.
The US became an industrial giant equipped with nuclear power.
Some of the biggest concerns about nuclear energy include the risk of accidents leading to radiation leaks, the long-term storage of nuclear waste, and the potential for nuclear proliferation and weapons development. Additionally, the high costs of building and maintaining nuclear power plants can be a significant concern.
See www.world-nuclear.org for country by country information:INFORMATION PAPERSNUCLEAR BASICSOutline History of Nuclear Energy The Nuclear Debate GlossaryFACTS AND FIGURESWorld Nuclear Power Reactors 2008-09 and Uranium Requirements Nuclear share figures, 1998-2008 - May 2009 Uranium production figures, 1998-2008 - June 2009COUNTRY AND REGIONAL BRIEFINGSUranium in Africa Nuclear Power in Argentina Nuclear Power in Armenia Australia's Uranium Nuclear Energy Prospects in Australia Nuclear Power in Belgium Nuclear Power in Brazil Nuclear Power in Bulgaria California's Electricity Nuclear Power in Canada Nuclear Power in Canada Appendix 1: Ontario Energy Policy Nuclear Power in Canada Appendix 2: Alberta Tar Sands Uranium in Canada Uranium in Canada Appendix 1: Brief History of Uranium Mining in Canada Uranium in Central Asia Nuclear Power in China Nuclear Power in China Appendix 1: Government Structure and Ownership China's Nuclear Fuel Cycle Nuclear Power in Czech Republic Nuclear Energy in Denmark Nuclear Power in Finland Nuclear Power in France Nuclear Power in Germany Nuclear Power in Hungary Nuclear Power in India Nuclear Energy in Iran Nuclear Power in Italy Nuclear Power in Japan Uranium and Nuclear Power in Kazakhstan Nuclear Power in Korea Nuclear Power in Lithuania Nuclear Power in Mexico Uranium in Namibia Nuclear Energy Prospects in New Zealand Nuclear Power in the Netherlands Uranium in Niger Nuclear Power in Pakistan Nuclear Power in Romania Nuclear Power in Russia Nuclear Power in Slovakia Nuclear Power in Slovenia Nuclear Power in South Africa Nuclear Power in Spain Nuclear Power in Sweden Nuclear Power in Sweden Appendix 1: Barsebäck Closure Nuclear Power in Switzerland Nuclear Power in Taiwan Nuclear Power in the United Kingdom Nuclear Power in Ukraine Nuclear Power in United Arab Emirates Nuclear Power in the USA Nuclear Power in the USA Appendix 1: US Operating Nuclear Reactors Nuclear Power in the USA Appendix 2 Power Plant Purchases: Nuclear Power in the USA Appendix 3: COL Applications US Nuclear Fuel Cycle US Nuclear Fuel Cycle Appendix 1: US Uranium Mining and Exploration US Nuclear Power Policy Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries