Sectors

Regions

Sections

Forecasts & Analysis

Market commentary

Reference & Archive

Alternative Fuels

Is gas to blame for stalling investment in nuclear power?

Nuclear reactors will need to overcome their huge capital costs and long lead times to become a viable alternative to gas-fired plants Nuclear reactors will need to overcome their huge capital costs and long lead times to become a viable alternative to gas-fired plants.
By Andrew Walker 6 September 2018 0 32446
nuclear reactors under construction in South Korea Reactors under construction at South Korea’s Shin Kori plant. (KHNP)

The future of nuclear power was looking positive last decade, when the United States faced a growing dependence on expensive fossil fuel imports. But the shale gas boom and an economic recession have turned the tables, meaning nuclear will need to become more competitive to survive.

This analysis comes from a report published by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Energy Initiative on Tuesday. The report, titled The Future of Nuclear Energy in a Carbon-Constrained World, highlights the availability of cheap gas, reduced government...