Regulation & Policy: The Future of Nuclear Generation

Table of Contents

• DATAMONITOR VIEW
  • CATALYST
  • SUMMARY
  • Methodology
• ANALYSIS
  • Public opinion supports new nuclear build in many European countries
    • Nuclear power presses ahead in Europe, despite moratoria against new build in seven countries
    • Public perceptions of nuclear power provide scope for changed policy frameworks to facilitate new build
    • In 14 EU countries the majority of public opinion is supportive of new nuclear build
  • Net nuclear power output has mostly increased across Europe, despite decreases in nuclear capacity
    • Existing nuclear plants work harder as capacity falls disproportionately to generation output
    • Only 2 of 15 nuclear power states have seen a net increase in nuclear generation capacity since 1990
    • 7 of 15 nuclear power states have seen a net increase in generation output from nuclear plants
    • In 9 of 15 nuclear power states, net nuclear generation output is increasing faster than net nuclear capacity, or is falling slower
  • Announcements for new nuclear build are picking up pace
    • Planned new build is not sufficient to maintain Europe' s current share of world nuclear capacity
    • As of January 2007 only five European countries are constructing new nuclear capacity
    • Europe' s share of global nuclear power production is set to fall
    • Announcements of new nuclear capacity and life extensions have overtaken planned closures
  • Government support remains a feature of nuclear projects across Europe
    • Europe' s ability to expand nuclear capacity without government support remains an open question
    • Government-controlled companies continue to dominate competition for nuclear projects
• APPENDIX
  • Further Reading
  • Datamonitor Consultancy
  • Ask the Analyst
  • List of Figures
    • Figure 1: European nuclear generation landscape
    • Figure 2: Public perceptions of nuclear power across Europe
    • Figure 3: Net nuclear generation capacity by market, 1990-2004
    • Figure 4: Net nuclear generation output by market, 1990-2004
    • Figure 5: Growth differential between net nuclear capacity and generation output, 1990-2004
    • Figure 6: Nuclear plants and capacity in operation and under construction, 2007
    • Figure 7: Nuclear plant operation and construction world-wide as of January 2007
    • Figure 8: Nuclear project announcements from August 2006 to February 2007
    • Figure 9: Privately and publicly controlled companies in the European nuclear industry