[en] Localization and technology transfer have been important factors influencing the decision-making process in countries embarking on a nuclear power programme. It seems natural that relationships between donors and recipients of technology, beginning with sub-contracting, should evolve towards technology transfers and cooperation on an equal footing. France was both a receiver and a donor of technology transfer in the area of nuclear power. This paper describes the French experience in technology transfer and the lesson learned therefrom. (author)

[en] The share of the power produced by the NPPs during the last years is increasing constantly and had reached by the year of 1997 44,9%. During the last 15 years these were only nuclear power plants in Ukraine that had been put into operation. Comparing to the awful condition of the traditional power industries caused by the lack of the organic fuels (gas, black oil, coal), physical and moral deterioration of power plants and power transmission equipment, the functioning of the nuclear power industry is rather stable. (author)

[en] While availability of potable water is an important prerequisite for socio-economic development, about 1/3 of the world's population is suffering from inadequate potable water supplies. Seawater desalination with nuclear energy could help to cope with the fresh water shortages and several countries are investigating nuclear desalination. Status and future prospects of nuclear desalination and the role of the IAEA in this area are discussed in this paper. (author)

[en] Public acceptance is one of most serious conditions for nuclear power introduction or successful operation of nuclear power plants. After restoring it's independence, Lithuania inherited large nuclear power plant RBMK type reactors widely known as Chernobyl type reactors. Several small case studies of dealing with the media on nuclear matters are presented and efforts to adopt an active attitude on different levels are described. (author)

[en] This paper considers the standards applied to investment appraisal by financiers. It looks at the spectrum of costs, benefits and risks, which the project sponsors must meet to satisfy prospective financiers. Most considerations are standard to most types of investment project, particularly in a country where the technology is new. These standards apply where external financing is sought. Clearly, governments investing in nuclear power with public funds may choose to do so for other than competitive economic reasons, although ultimately efficient investment requires that they apply similar criteria in allocating available resources among the many demands on the public fisc. (author)

[en] Nuclear power generation is a well-proven technology for electricity production. World-wide, in both developed and developing countries, by mid May 1997, 443 Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) have been in operation contributing around 18% to the world electricity supply with a total generating capacity of 351 GWe in 32 countries. There are 35 NPPs now under construction in 14 countries. Now, most of us have come to realize that an increasing demand and supply of energy is a reality and a necessity to support socio-economic development. This is especially true in developing countries where most of the population have a low consumption of energy and a low standard of living, and the need for a lot of energy to fuel the development and to improve the quality of life is imminent. In regard to electricity supply, this situation can be translated into the need for a large base load power generation. The electricity demand in Indonesia is very high due to the National Economic Development Plan based on industrialization and supported by a strong agriculture base. This situation calls for development and deployment of all energy technologies, including nuclear, fossil and renewables, to supply the energy needed. The need for nuclear power in Indonesia is in line with the national energy policy, which stresses diversification and conservation, economic competitiveness, and environmental cleanliness. The prepared Nuclear Science and Technology Base and its potential to support the high-tech industry development will lead Indonesia to a sustainable national development. (author)

[en] To plan and develop a nuclear power program, policies must be formulated and decided at different stages and at different levels by the government and its organizations, by the utility and by other organizations in industry and research and education, each within its sphere of interest and influence. The purpose of this paper is to highlight areas where policy decisions are needed, the options available, what they mean and the contexts in which they should be considered. (author)

[en] Kazakhstan has in perspective the potential to be self-sufficient in energy resources and also to export such resources to other countries. This article describes the energy sector of Kazakhstan, the perspectives of the development the energy and nuclear industry and shows the problems and methods of its solutions. The energy sector of Kazakhstan has diversified sources of energy resources. The open market of electricity will generate the investments and direct them to the development for more efficiency use of these resources. Rehabilitation of old power stations and their modernisation will allow to cover the future needs of Kazakhstan. The nuclear industry of Kazakhstan has the infrastructure, high-qualified staff, enterprises, reactors and investments for the development. The energy policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan is directed to find the balance between different sources of energy to decrease the emissions of greenhouse gas. (author)

[en] A sizeable sector of the public remains hesitant or opposed to the use of nuclear power. With other groups claiming nuclear power has a legitimate role in energy programs, there is a need to openly and objectively discuss the concerns limiting its acceptance: the perceived health effects, the consequences of severe accidents, and the disposal of high level waste. This paper discusses these concerns using comparisons with other energy sources. (author)

[en] The substantial increase in global energy consumption in coming decades will be driven principally by the developing world. Although there is some awareness on both the technical and political levels of the advantages of nuclear power, it is not a globally favored option in a sustainable energy future. This paper, after discussion of rising energy consumption, concentrates on a comparison of the environmental impacts of the available energy options. (author)