[en] The reliable and adequate supply of energy, especially electricity, is necessary not only for economic development but to enhance the quality of life. Nuclear power is a proven technology which already supplies about 17% of the world''s electricity generation. In 1995, seven countries produce more than 40% of their electricity from nuclear power plants: Lithuanian, France, Belgium, Sweden, Bulgaria, Slovak and Hungary. It is quite clear that many countries are heavily reliant on nuclear power and are well beyond the point where nuclear power could be replaced by some other source, so, nuclear power remains one of the few technologically proven, economically promising and environmentally benign energy sources. An important factor in the continued development of nuclear power is the extent to which nuclear generated electricity remains economically competitive. Factors such as plant availability, standardisation of systems, components and equipment, as well as the cost of equipment to meet safety and environmental regulations play also an important role in determining the relative competitiveness of nuclear power plants. Many operating organizations have already impressive results in the reduction of plant unavailability. The number of nuclear power plants currently operating with annual availability factor exceeding 85% is increasing. Good performance of some operators should establish performance targets for operators everywhere. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has the only international and almost complete information system, the Power Reactor Information System (PRIS) with nuclear power plant status and performance data. This paper presents the current status of nuclear power plants, according to information contained in the IAEA. It discusses the plant performance indicators available in PRIS and the improvement trend in the performance of nuclear power plants based on these indicators. It also presents the future trends of nuclear power focusing in the major nuclear power producing countries. (author)

[en] The need for energy in general, and for electricity in particular, is very much related to the level of social and economic standing of a country and thus, indices of energy/electricity per capita are used to reflect the socio-economic standing of a country and its population. The wide gap of the levels of these indices between developed and developing nations reflects somehow this disparity. This paper presents the current energy situation in Bangladesh and its future outlook, with emphasis on the country's reserves and possibilities for development of the energy system, particularly that for electricity supply. (author). 9 refs, 3 figs, 5 tabs

[en] An overview of the operation of the Swiss nuclear power plants Beznau, Muehleberg, Goesgen and Leibstadt for November 1992 is given. 2 tabs

[en] Basic conclusions and recommendations developed in the process of preparing and conducting the symposium discussed are presented. All methods of electric power production, their prospects and effects on man and environment were discussed during the symposium. This paper is devoted mainly to nuclear power engineering only, its prospects and possible role in general electric power generation

[en] Following the Coal Review earlier this year, the UK government took the decision to bring forward the Nuclear Review from 1994 to this year. When the nuclear element was removed from the privatisation of the UK electricity industry, decommissioning costs were perceived to be too great a burden for the private sector to bear. Four years on a more optimistic picture is beginning to emerge. (author)

[en] The prerequisites and the requisites for successful nuclear powered electricity generation in southern Africa are explored. There are four elements essential to success, namely, the mission or vision; the appropriate means; the right and sufficient time, and the skilled, committed executor. The ongoing success of nuclear powered electricity generation in South Africa is discussed in the light of these four elements. 2 ills

[en] This document is the first annual report of research made under contract with the IAEA. As such it constitutes an interim report which will not be published. Results reported in this document will be included in the final report of the research. Several type of reactors, PWR, BWR, HWN and GCN, are considered as heat sources for dual-purpose installations. Several design schemes are examined and optimization of both steam plant and distillation plant are studied. (author). Abstract only

[en] The United Arab Republic's programme of power generation and water supply development, including issues of nuclear power use for water desalination, is discussed

[en] The main activities of the Finnish companies ABB Stroemberg Power, Ahlstroem, IVO International Ltd, Polartest, Power Piping Ltd, Rados Technology and Vaisala are described

[en] UNESA's coordinating role is aimed at achieving safer, more reliable operation of the Spanish nuclear power plants while at the same time assuring the future viability of the nuclear option in Spain by means of the participation on selected international efforts. (author) 1 fig