Construction costs of nuclear power stations

Assuming that nuclear power will increasingly supply the base-load of electricity generation in the industrialised world, the areas where techniques and practices can be improved to control costs are identified. The lack of standardisation and over-long licensing times are cited as major factors in the recent rapid escalation of nuclear power costs and it is suggested that the adoption of standard reactor designs, the encouragement of a vigorous and competitive European nuclear industry and the streamlining of licensing procedures could improve matters. (author)