Reduction in building of nuclear power stations

Nuclear power, although a potential major energy source, is losing some of its support; and the exploitation of the future potential of this power is associated with a great deal of uncertainty. Delays and revisions of projections reflect a reduction in the estimates of electricity demand as well as increasing public and private opposition which has, in some case, been strong enough to lead to the postponement or cancellation of nuclear projects. If this downward spiral continues, the confidence of utility planners in nuclear power may be further eroded and the viability of the nuclear power industry will be endangered.

The widespread privatization of electric utilities in the 1990s means that they are now seeking methods of power generation that are cheap, profitable and acceptable to public opinion. Investor-owned utilities are increasingly avoiding capital-intensive projects, such as nuclear generating plants, that require long lead times for development and construction. Nuclear energy accounted for a third of the growth in world energy capacity from 1971 to 1990, largely because of the oil crises in the 1970s. It is expected to account for only 10% of the growth in capacity form 1990 to 2010. The International Energy Agency predicts that the rate of growth of nuclear power generation will actually decline after the year 2000 as retirement of old plants exceeds the recommissioning of new plants.

1. Inadequate energy supply infrastructure
2. Energy crisis

1. Uranium ores and concentrates and thorium trade instability
2. Global warming
3. Exploitation of fossil fuels

1. Vulnerability of nuclear power sources
2. Restrictive regulations for disposal of nuclear waste
3. Restrictive regulation of nuclear power
4. Prohibitive cost of nuclear power plants
5. Non-verificability of compliance with nuclear power safeguards
6. Monopoly of nuclear power techniques
7. Lack of acceptable sites for power plants
8. Irrational rejection of nuclear power
9. Environmental hazards of nuclear power production
10. Environmental hazards of decommissioned nuclear power plants
11. Aggression against nuclear power sources

1. Plutonium overproduction
2. Environmental hazards of nuclear power production

1. Dubious viability of nuclear fuel reprocessing plants
2. Deterioration of nuclear power plants

1. Reducing building of nuclear power stations
2. Providing inadequate infrastructure for nuclear power generation
3. Opposing nuclear energy generation
4. Improving viability of nuclear power plants
5. Improving infrastructure for nuclear power generation
6. Developing nuclear power
7. Building nuclear power stations

1. Viability
2. Reduction
3. Power
4. Poverty
5. Inviability
6. Inadequacy