CAN A NEW NUCLEAR PROGRAMME BE JUSTIFIED?

In: Economic affairs: journal of the Institute of Economic Affairs, Band 26, Heft 2, S. 64-70

Abstract

The moratorium on the building of new nuclear power stations in the UK that has existed since the 1980s may be ended as a result of government concerns about the security of energy provision and the environmental impact of fossil‐fuel‐based energy supply. This viewpoint argues that the case for nuclear power on both counts is unproven. Moreover, renewed government support for a civil nuclear power programme may be a case of government attempting to pick winners, when the evidence suggests that such decisions are best taken by energy suppliers, producers and consumers.