RUS | ENG | All
Enter the email or login, that you used for registration.
If you do not remember your password, simply leave this field blank and you will receive a new, along with a link to activate.

Not registered yet?
Welcome!

2020-09-24 12:10:00

GLOBAL NUCLEAR POWER DOWN

GLOBAL NUCLEAR POWER DOWN

REUTERS - SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 -  The number of nuclear reactor units operating globally is at a 30 year low, while new plants struggle for investment, an industry report said on Thursday.

Proponents of nuclear say as a low-carbon power source it could be vital in helping countries meet climate targets, but several plants around the world are coming to the end of their life expectancies and many new ones have faced delays.

Some 408 nuclear reactors were in operation in 31 countries as of July 2020, a decline of 9 units from mid-2019 and 30 fewer than the 2002 peak of 438, the annual World Nuclear Industry Status Report (WNISR) showed.

The slow pace of new projects coming on stream also increased the overall age of the global fleet to around 31 years old.

Of the 52 new plants being built globally at least 33 are behind schedule, while not a single new project came online in the first half of 2020, the report said.

New projects were struggling to secure finance amid competition from renewables with reported investment decisions for the construction of new nuclear plants at around $31 billion in 2019, around 1 tenth that of wind and solar, the report said.

This year nuclear plant operators have also been dealt a blow by the coronavirus pandemic with lockdowns on households and business cutting electricity demand and reducing power prices in many countries.

Electricity consumption in some regions is not likely to reach pre-pandemic levels for many months, if not years the report said, impacting operators' finances.

Low power prices are also likely to reduce the imperative to invest in new plants, "therefore the extent to which new power plants are built may to a large degree depend on government stimulus packages," the report said.

-----


Earlier:

GLOBAL NUCLEAR POWER DOWN
2020, September, 23, 15:05:00
NUCLEAR POWER: THE NEW POSSIBILITIES
Innovation is accelerating the development and commercialisation of small modular reactors opening up additional applications for nuclear energy.
GLOBAL NUCLEAR POWER DOWN
2020, September, 23, 15:00:00
NUCLEAR POWER: CRITICAL FOR CLIMATE
There are three basic reasons why nuclear power is "critical" to the world meeting its energy and climate goals, said International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol.
GLOBAL NUCLEAR POWER DOWN
2020, September, 18, 12:10:00
NUCLEAR POWER WILL UP BY 82%
IAEA analysts expect an increase of global nuclear electrical generating capacity by 82% to 715 gigawatts.
GLOBAL NUCLEAR POWER DOWN
2020, September, 16, 11:55:00
NUCLEAR POWER: COST & COMMUNICATION
Nuclear power industry must make sure it engages in open and transparent communications with stakeholders, as well as being cost-competitive with all other forms of generation,
GLOBAL NUCLEAR POWER DOWN
2020, September, 11, 12:10:00
NUCLEAR POWER: IMPORTANT ROLE
IEA analysis "clearly shows", he said, that nuclear power has an important role and makes the energy transition "more cost effective and more energy secure".
GLOBAL NUCLEAR POWER DOWN
2020, September, 11, 12:05:00
NUCLEAR POWER: TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY
That's why I think nuclear has a tremendous opportunity. There is simply not another energy technology before us today that can do the things that nuclear can do.
GLOBAL NUCLEAR POWER DOWN
2020, September, 2, 12:35:00
NUCLEAR POWER RACE
Companies around the world, including NuScale Power LLC in the U.S., China National Nuclear Corp. and Russia’s Rosatom, are developing a new generation of reactors, with some designs that will be more than 90% smaller than the hulking facilities that have dominated the industry for decades.
All Publications »
Tags: NUCLEAR