Final report on computer codes for estimating the decommissioning cost of nuclear power plants

Work is reported on the development and enhancement of a cost estimating program (called DECOM) using a microcomputer. The program is user-friendly, menu driven and written in the dBase III format. With the help of this program, costs can be estimated for Stage 1, Stage 2 or Stage 3 decommissioning. The program is based on the generally accepted concept of unit cost factors. The computer program is suitable as an aid in the selection and planning of a decommissioning alternative. Apart from its application in the Gentilly-1 decommissioning project, the program had been used in the preparation of cost estimates for both CANDU (Canada Deuterium Uranium) and light water reactors. In order to validate the code, samples of actual cost and manhour data from the Gentilly-1 project were processed through the DECOM code. It was observed that the total costs were accurate within 20%, though the costs for individual activities in some instances varied significantly due to differing project parameters. (author). 6 refs