be generated.
Renewable energy sources
with the exception of nydro,
where it is available
are not likely to play a globally significant
role, even if solar and wind power may become important locally in some
places.
The real choices for new electricity generating capacity are most
likely to be between coal and nuclear and gas and hydro where they are
available.
Nuclear power, of course, means very high investments, and it is
difficult to find capital in these times. Given the scarcity of capital,
it is of paramount importance that all nuclear construction projects de
well olanned, have consistent political support and be tightly controlled
against cost and schedule overruns. We have seen what can be done in
these respects for example, in Japan, where the average construction
time for 13 plants coming on line during the period 1980-1986 was 54
months
and we have seen what plant standardization has done
example, in France
to keep costs low and under control.
seen what influence delays can have on nuclear economics.
——
for
Also, we fave
The competitiveness of nuclear power plants, properly planned and
built, is well established. The coal-produced kilowatt-hour is up to two
times more expensive than the nuclear one, except at some locations near
coal mines in Canada and the USA.
Using the Agency's data bank, which has operating data for most of
the world's nuclear power reactors, it is now possible to discern a
general improvement in the operating performance of these plants. In