nuclear-news

“The nuclear industry is in ­decline” – a report that upsets the industry

Nuclear’s fortunes on the wane THE AUSTRALIAN SEPTEMBER 29, 2014 Robin Bromby Business columnist
Sydney :……….now along comes some disquieting analysis of the nuclear electricity story. Normally, we would have seized on the annual report during the week fromManhattan Corp (MHC), which has the Ponton uranium project in Western Australia, and which coincided with yet another rise in the spot uranium price, up $US2.50 a pound to $US36.50/lb. Executive chairman Alan Eggers writes that the uranium sector has been dominated by “negative industry sentiment, falling supply and lacklustre demand among buyers of nuclear fuel”. He then outlines a reasonably cheerful outlook, and one to which Pure Speculation has been an adherent.

Until we read another report written by eight European and Japanese heavyweight thinkers in the field, headed by Paris-based Mycle Schneider. Their World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2014 has a stark and simple message: “The nuclear industry is in ­decline”.

There are 388 operating reactors around the world, 50 fewer than in 2002. Installed capacity is back to where it was 20 years ago.

The nuclear share of the world’s power generation declined from its peak of 19.6 per cent in 1996 to 10.8 per cent in 2013. In terms of revenue, nuclear now accounts for a lower percentage than in 1984.

In all, there are 67 “current” ­nuclear reactor projects, which sounds impressive until the report explains that eight of those reactors have been listed as “under construction” for more than 20 years; at least 49 have encountered construction delays, some for several years, and for the first time Chinese projects have also been delayed; for the remaining 18 reactors, either construction began within the past five years or the reactors have not yet reached projected start-up dates.

“Delays have occurred in the development of the nuclear programs for most of the more advanced newcomer countries, including Bangladesh, Jordan, Lithuania, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Vietnam,” the report adds……..http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/opinion/nuclears-fortunes-on-the-wane/story-fnciihm9-1227073165703

September 29, 2014 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | 2 WORLD, AUSTRALIA, business and costs