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Better late than never, but never late is better: Risk assessment of nuclear power construction projects

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  • Portugal-Pereira, J.
  • Ferreira, P.
  • Cunha, J.
  • Szklo, A.
  • Schaeffer, R.
  • Araújo, M.
Abstract
This work seeks to evaluate overnight construction costs (OCC) and lead-time escalation of nuclear power construction projects from 1955 to 2016. To this end, a comprehensive database of commercial Light Water Reactors (LWR) was developed and a statistical analysis was conducted. Findings reveal a significant delay in lead-time, especially for the last generation reactors constructed from 2010s, with ¾ of the sample showing significant construction delays. This results in an escalation of capital costs rather than in a decline. Average OCC of newer reactors is 60% higher than the ones implemented in the earlier stages of the nuclear era. This suggests a discontinuity of the learning curve for both OCC and lead-time, which threats the market and financial sustainability of current and future nuclear energy projects. Although this is a general trend, this discontinuity is country specific and, thus, induced by national policies and regulatory frameworks. Therefore, the role of nuclear technology as an alternative to cope with the need for a decarbonisation of the power sector must be better evaluated, taking into account the real cost impacts of nuclear technology implementation.

Suggested Citation

  • Portugal-Pereira, J. & Ferreira, P. & Cunha, J. & Szklo, A. & Schaeffer, R. & Araújo, M., 2018. "Better late than never, but never late is better: Risk assessment of nuclear power construction projects," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 158-166.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:120:y:2018:i:c:p:158-166
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2018.05.041
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    3. Diniz, Bruno Andrade & Szklo, Alexandre & Tolmasquim, Maurício T. & Schaeffer, Roberto, 2023. "Delays in the construction of power plants from electricity auctions in Brazil," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    4. Mezősi, András & Felsmann, Balázs & Kerekes, Lajos & Szabó, László, 2020. "Coexistence of nuclear and renewables in the V4 electricity system: Friends or enemies?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).
    5. Pietzcker, Robert C. & Osorio, Sebastian & Rodrigues, Renato, 2021. "Tightening EU ETS targets in line with the European Green Deal: Impacts on the decarbonization of the EU power sector," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 293(C).
    6. Gangyang, Zheng & Xianke, Peng & Xiaozhen, Li & Yexi, Kang & Xiangeng, Zhao, 2021. "Research on the standardization strategy of China's nuclear industry," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    7. Pietzcker, Robert & Osorio, Sebastian & Rodrigues, Renato, 2021. "Tightening EU ETS targets in line with the European Green Deal: Impacts on the decarbonization of the EU power sector," EconStor Preprints 222579, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, revised 2021.

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