Economic aspects of the back end: reprocessing or once-through

The economics of the nuclear fuel cycle has been studied by the OECD (Office of European Community Development) Nuclear Energy Agency. Results are summarized. The PWR fuel cycle costs are given and compared w ith fuel cycle costs if reprocessing is undertaken. Economics is not the only criterion to be considered in assessment of back-end options. Overall strategy, energy policy, environmental and public acceptance are also important. It is concluded that reprocessing not only reduces uncertainty in the industrial process but avoids the need to store waste, as the plutonium can then be reinserted in other reactors and burned in the fission process. (UK)