NEA press room

Press kit: Economics of nuclear power

How much does nuclear production of electricity really cost? Initial NEA studies focused on the direct costs including capital, investment, operation, maintenance and final cost. More recent discussions have endeavoured to examine the entire life cycle cost of nuclear electricity as well as its competitiveness in deregulated energy markets.

NEA Nuclear Development programme

Nuclear Energy Data
Nuclear Energy Data is the NEA’s annual compilation of essential statistics on electricity generation and nuclear power in OECD countries. The reader will have quick and easy reference to the status of and projected trends in total electricity generating capacity, nuclear generating capacity, and actual electricity production, as well as to supply and demand for nuclear fuel cycle services.

Nuclear Energy Today
Nuclear Energy Today aims to provide, in a simple, short and clear style, authoritative and factual information on the main aspects of nuclear energy in today’s world. Written for a broad readership, primarily policy makers, as well as interested members of the public, academics, journalists and industry leaders, this publication will contribute to a better understanding of this source of energy.

Projected Costs of Generating Electricity
2005 Update
This sixth study in a series on projected costs of generating electricity presents and analyses cost estimates for some 130 power and co-generation (heat and power) plants using coal, gas, nuclear and renewable energy sources. Experts from 19 member countries, 2 international organisations and 3 non-OECD countries contributed to the study.

Externalities and Energy Policy: The Life Cycle Analysis Approach - Workshop Proceedings, Paris, France, 15-16 November 2001
Improving the sustainability of energy systems by incorporating energy externalities into related policy making represents a key challenge that has been studied by both the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the NEA. The life cycle analysis (LCA) approach, which consists of an evaluation of the potential environmental impacts of a product through its life cycle "from cradle to grave", provides a conceptual framework for a detailed and comprehensive, comparative evaluation of energy supply options. LCA could help national energy policy making by pointing to opportunities to improve the sustainability of the full fuel cycle operations in OECD countries (for example, by improving the sustainability of mining practices) and providing quantitative input to the political debate on improving the sustainability of energy systems. (2002)

Reduction of Capital Costs of Nuclear Power Plants
The competitiveness of nuclear power plants depends largely on their capital costs that represent some 60 per cent of their total generation costs. Reviewing and analysing ways and means to reduce capital costs of nuclear power plants are essential to enhance the economic viability of the nuclear option. The report is based upon cost information and data provided by experts from NEA member countries. It investigates the efficiency of alternative methods for reducing capital costs of nuclear units. It will provide stakeholders from the industry and governmental agencies with relevant elements in support of policy making. (2000)

Business as Usual and Nuclear Power: A Joint IEA/NEA Meeting, 14-15 October 1999
Energy and nuclear policy makers face many challenges as they evaluate options to ensure an adequate supply of electricity while pursuing environmental, economic and energy security goals. Many analysts suggest that nuclear’s share of global energy supply could decrease in coming decades. If energy markets and national energy policies continue along "business as usual" lines, what are the issues that arise? What are the consequences for the long-term availability of nuclear technology and expertise? This book identifies the issues in a series of papers presented at a meeting jointly organised by the International Energy Agency and the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency. (2000)

Nuclear Power in Competitive Electricity Markets
Economic deregulation in the power sector raises new challenges for the prospects of nuclear power. A key issue is to assess whether nuclear power can be competitive in a deregulated electricity market. Other important considerations include safety, nuclear liability and insurance, the nuclear power infrastructure, and health and environmental protection. (2000)

Low-level Radioactive Waste Repositories: An Analysis of Costs
Low-level radioactive waste (LLW) arises in the normal operation of nuclear power plants and fuel cycle facilities, as well as from the use of radioactive isotopes in medicine, industry and agriculture. This report sets out the costs of operating disposal sites for LLW in OECD countries, as well as the factors that may affect the costs of sites being developed. (1999)

Related links

Uranium Resources, Production and Demand
A joint body of the NEA and the IAEA co-ordinates the preparation of this biennial report (also called the "Red Book") which analyses the prospective supply/demand balance for uranium. The latest edition was published in 2006.

Last updated: 19 November 2007