Can nuclear power stay competitive?

Although decisions on technologies and energy mixes for electricity generation have to take into account a variety of non-economic issues, including social, environmental and health impacts, economic competitiveness remains a key factor. However, the policy-making framework of the electricity sector is evolving, and, as a consequence, new challenges and opportunities are being created for different generation technologies, including nuclear. Direct costs of different candidate power plants are compared. Nuclear energy cost components are analyzed, and other components beyond direct costs (emissions, wastes, accidents etc.) are considered. Choices of generation sources and technologies would differ from country to country. (R.P.)