The world must build two atomic reactors each day the next hundred years

In summarising and commenting on the ideas presented in Mesarovic and Pestel's book 'Mankind at the turning point' it is pointed out that the global energy crisis makes comprehensive long term planning a necessity. Assuming, optimistically, that nuclear power alone is able to supply the total projected energy demand in 100 years, it is stated that this will require 3000 nuclear power stations, each with 8 fast breeder reactors, totally 100GW(t). This means a net rate of construction of four reactors per week, which again means, allowing for a 30 year life, two reactors per day, every day, for the next hundred years. Fuelling these reactors will require the production and transport of 15 x 106 kg of Pu239 per year. It is therefore obvious that the energy crisis is not only a technological, but also a political, social and even psychological problem. (JIW)