[en] After the peak in the late 1970's, uranium prices assumed a downward trend, which still persists after ten years. The real prices on the spot market are now less than one sixth of the peak prices in the 1970's. The prices of enrichment have come down, as well. Sudden changes in the supply-demand situation or in the prices are not expected in the near future, either. On the other hand, the prevailing low market prices do not encourage investments in the new production capacity or explorations for new uranium deposits. On a longer-term this may jeopardize the existence of adequate supplies. Even so, the amount of reasonable assured and estimated additional low-cost resources would be sufficient to support the present level of consumption for about 40 years; for 30 years or more, if the projected growth in the nuclear power capacity is accounted for. The presently known and estimated low-cost reserves are only a part of the existing uranium resources of the world. First, the reserves increase as soon as higher-cost resources are taken into account. Secondly, the world uranium potential is certainly larger than the reserves so far identified. In addition, the energy potential of uranium resources depends on the technology in use. Even with current reactors the specific consumption of uranium for electricity generation can be lowered by 10 to 30 per cent by the end of the century. With the development of fast breeder reactors perhaps some 60 times more of energy per tonne or uranium could be produced than in the present-day reactors. With breeder reactors the energy potential uranium resources is at least on the same order of magnitude as the energy potential of the coal resources. The fuel supply of the Finnish nuclear power plants is assured by reserve stockpiles, long-term contracts and supply diversification. The domestic uranium reserves could satisfy the natural uranium needs of the present reactors for about ten years