Risø DTU and the Danish Emergency Management Agency have published their fifth annual report on international development within nuclear power. The report focuses particularly on nuclear preparedness and safety. The report for 2007 deals with: nuclear electricity production, regional trends, development of reactors, incidents related to nuclear safety and international conditions and conflicts.
Read the full report here (in Danish)
Renaissance for nuclear power
In 2007 important steps were taken to make the intentions of expanding nuclear power a reality.
France has finally decided to build a new nuclear power unit and England has officially decided that nuclear power should be part of the energy planning.
In the United States, nuclear power is experiencing a renaissance. The renewed interest for building nuclear power stations is due to geopolitical and economic reasons. From a political point of view there is a wish for reducing the dependency on imports of fossil fuels from the Middle East for instance. An expansion of nuclear power would help limit imports of oil and gas while increasing the security of supply.
The US Congress has introduced various subsidy schemes to promote nuclear power: A risk insurance against regulatory delays, a loan guarantee for up to 80% of the building expenses, and a tax credit like the one given to investments in renewable energy. The aim is to make the electricity generators invest in nuclear power based on new types of reactors with improved safety and operating economy.
At the same time the economic outlook for nuclear power has become more favourable as new types of reactors with expected high capacity utilisation are developed.
In 2007 USA’s Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) received four applications for combined construction and operation licence (COL) for seven new nuclear power units. The applications are the first in thirty years and thus truly mark the new renaissance for nuclear power in the United States. NRC expects to receive 15 more new applications during 2008, and up to 30 applications within the next years.
For more information contact head of programme Bent Lauritzen, telephone no. 4677 4906, bent.lauritzen@risoe.dk |