ENEL counts the cost of rejecting nuclear power

This article is about the nuclear debate in Italy. Following the accident at the Chernobyl reactor, a National Energy Conference was set up to discuss the energy issue. Italy's state electricity corporation, ENEL, has published its forecasts of what will happen if the politicians opt for a non-nuclear energy policy. The figures and arguments used by ENEL in the forecast are presented and discussed. Alternatives to nuclear power are costed. The cost of nuclear power is shown to be most favourable. Taking individual nuclear power plants, ENEL has produced forecasts of the costs involved in a partial or total rejection of nuclear power in Italy. Nuclear power is also presented as the best employment option. (UK)