Nuclear power's burdened future

Journal Article · · Bull. At. Sci.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00963402.1987.11459552· OSTI ID:6877834

Flavin, C

Although governments of the world's leading nations are reiterating their faith in nuclear power, Chernobyl has brought into focus the public's overwhelming feeling that the current generation of nuclear technology is simple not working. Despite the drastic slowdown, however, the global nuclear enterprise is large. As of mid-1986, the world had 366 nuclear power plants in operation, with a generating capacity of 255,670 MW. These facilities generate about 15% of the world's electricity, ranging from 65% in France to 31% in West Germany, 23% in Japan, 16% in the United States, 10% in the Soviet Union, and non in most developing nations. Nuclear development is clearly dominated by the most economically powerful and technologically advanced nations. The United States, France, the Soviet Union, Japan, and West Germany has 72% of the world's generating capacity and set the international nuclear pace. The reasons for scaling back nuclear programs are almost as diverse as the countries themselves. High costs, slowing electricity demand growth, technical problems, mismanagement, and political opposition have all had an effect. Yet these various factors actually form a complex web of inter-related problems. For example, rising costs usually represent some combination of technical problems and mismanagement, and political opposition often occurs because of safety concerns or rising costs. 13 references.

• Research Organization: Worldwatch Institute, Washington, DC (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6877834
• Journal Information: Bull. At. Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: Bull. At. Sci.; (United States) Vol. 43:6; ISSN BASIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210800* -- Nuclear Power Plants-- Economics
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290600 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Nuclear Energy
ECONOMICS
FORECASTING
GLOBAL ASPECTS
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR POWER
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
POLITICAL ASPECTS
POWER
POWER PLANTS
SAFETY
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
THERMAL POWER PLANTS