Cost evaluation model for nuclear power generation

The cost evaluation model for each type of electric power generation (nuclear, oil, coal, LNG and hydraulic) has been developed. For nuclear power generation, decommissioning cost (assumed to be 20 % of construction cost) and the final disposal cost of low- and high-level radioactive wastes are also included. Using these models, the power generation cost for each type of power generation in Japan has been evaluated for each year up to 2000, based on the projected power generation schedule. The effects of the rate of operation on the power cost were also evaluated for each type. This report summarizes the cost evaluation model and the results of survey calculation. Detailed description on the evaluation sub-model for fuel cycle cost and cost data is also provided. As for reprocessing, it is assumed that after 1990, all the nuclear fuels are reprocessed in domestic plants, and that the recovered uranium and plutonium are stored until 2000. Fuel cycle cost is broken down into 16 items, and cost evaluation is made based on the 1980 prices. The results showed that the fuel cycle cost in 1981 is 3.1 yen /kWh, and it will be 4 yen/ kWh in 2000 with the front-end cost 2.7 yen/kWh and backend cost 1.7 yen/ kWh and - 0.45 yen/kWh for uranium and plutonium credit. (Aoki, K.)