Nuclearinfo.org.uk

Questions and Answers about Nuclear Power

Al Gore said "I came to the Congress in 1976 as a very strong supporter of nuclear power. I have grown sceptical. I am not opposed to it, but there is now in the industry absolutely zero ability to predict with any confidence what the cost of construction is." Guardian 4th Feb 2009

Contents:

Subsidies for nuclear power - SECTION UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Costs of nuclear

Subsidies for nuclear power SECTION UNDER CONSTRUCTION

These are some of the ways in which the UK Government subsidises nuclear power.

1. Nuclear clean-up
Taxpayers are picking up the majority of the costs of cleaning up the current generation of nuclear power stations and other nuclear facilities. Current estimates exceed £90,000,000,000, which is about £1,500 for every person in the UK.

2. Insurance
No commercial insurance company will offer public liability insurance for nuclear power stations, because the risks are too great. A major incident with release of radioactivity would cost so much that it would bankrupt any insurance company. There have already been several such incidents (Chernobyl, Three Mile Island and (although not strictly a power station) Windscale) and insurance companies are aware that it is unlikely that another will not happen. So the Government has agreed that it will pay for thrid-party liability costs arising from a major incident at a nuclear power station. That's our money. It is difficult to calculate what this subsidy is worth, given the enormous costs of the risks involved, but it is likely to be severla million pounds per year for each nuclear power station.

3. Training
The Government has set up a dedicated training facility to train technicians for the next round of nuclear power stations.

4. Research and development

5. Loan guarantees

6. Waste disposal

Costs of nuclear

See also Finland on the International page.

"Nuclear waste from the reactors likely to be built in the UK will be up to seven times more hazardous than that produced by existing reactors. The admission was made in an 'environmental impact assessment' report by nuclear company Posiva. Posiva are responsible for managing the waste which will be produced by the European Pressurised Reactor (EPR) currently being constructed in Olkiluoto, Finland. And an independent nuclear consultant has warned that this will increase the costs of nuclear energy, as waste storage and safety expenses will rise above expected levels. "

Greenpeace Press Release UK 2nd Feb 2009