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Economic perspectives of nuclear power

A report published on December 15, 2011 by the Parliamentary Mission on "Nuclear Safety, and the Role and Future of the Nuclear Sector" emphasizes that the nuclear industry is an emblem of France’s world-renowned technological know-how and supports tens of thousands of jobs. The paper also highlights the fact that safe energy is essential to ensure the power and independence of the country and its industries. A report by the French public audit authority published on January 31, 2012, provides a detailed analysis of the costs of the electronuclear industry. The initial public investment is estimated at €188 billion. Today, annual current expenditures for nuclear power total €10 billion for EDF (€8.9 billion in operating costs and €1.1 billion in provisions for spent fuel and long-term waste management) and €644 million for the government (€414 million for research and €230 million in safety, security and public information expenses). Future costs, which are difficult to estimate at present, are evaluated at €79.4 billion (including €62 billion for EDF). They cover the dismantling of decommissioned power plants and the management of spent fuel and final wastes. Added to this figure are the extra costs of the post-Fukushima safety assessments. Following a report issued in early 2012 by the ASN recommending complementary safety evaluations of priority nuclear installations in light of the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, EDF has agreed to make the necessary investments. Also according to the public audit authority, considerable investment will be needed in the short- and medium-term to maintain current production levels, which will inevitably affect the overall cost of electrical production.