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Two recent press releases from Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and Confederation of British Industry (CBI) have recommended a diverse mix of energy sources. However, both reports have delineated the prominence of Nuclear.
Here are both stories from World Nuclear News:
CBI: Nuclear should lead the mix
EPRI: All technologies vital for optimum electricity future
Since Jonny already reported on the EPRI report on Wednesday, here’s a short blurb from the CBI’s report:
The CBI showed cost figures based on the best features of a typical nuclear reactor: being able to generate 8.6 billion kWh of low-carbon electricity per year and provide 1000 MWe to the grid at peak.
A nuclear power plant with this capability would cost £2.5 billion, plus £500 million for eventual decommissioning ($4 billion plus $800 million), whereas a series of wind generators with the same attributes would cost £6.5 billion ($10.4 billion).
Apart from costing over twice the amount to build, due mainly to the need for 70% redundancy to make up for low capacity factors, the difference in figures is down to £1.3 billion ($2.0 billion) in transmission lines as well as £256 million ($413 million) in back-up gas-fired generation for days when it is not windy.
