Future need for electricity and competitiveness of the advanced light water reactors

This paper summarizes the latest information on the projected need for the next generation of advanced light water reactors (ALWRs), the estimated 30-yr levelized generating costs associated with the ALWR and a comparison of those costs with appropriate base-load fossil-fired alternatives available for use in the year 2000, and the environmental benefits provided to the nation through the continued use of nuclear energy. Ultimately, the future for the nuclear option will be determined in the marketplace by the magnitude of need for electricity supply and by how competitive nuclear generation, including consideration of environmental factors, is when compared with other reasonable alternative to provide that supply