The economic loss of the early retirement of nuclear power plants

The economic loss of the early retirement of nuclear power plants / François Lévêque, Ecole des mines de Paris, EU Energy Policy blog, February 15th, 2012

http://www.energypolicyblog.com/2012/02/15/the-economic-loss-of-the-early-retirement-of-nuclear-power-plants/

2011 will remain as one of the year that shaped the fate of nuclear power the most. The Fukushima accident has had profound consequences on energy policies in several countries, and even France and its unique system have not escaped the controversy. But if the debate focuses mostly on an assessment of a partial or total phase-out with 2030 as a global deadline, there is few economic appraisal of the optimum pace for a nuclear power plants’ retirement. Closing a nuclear power plant earlier than expected, even though the operator complies with all the safety requirements, would mean getting rid of a still valuable asset, and a global loss for the economy…

Danièle Revel

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