Economies of Scale in Nuclear Power Generation

Anthony Krautmann; John Solow

doi:10.2307/1058857

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Economies of Scale in Nuclear Power Generation

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Economies of Scale in Nuclear Power Generation

Anthony Krautmann and John Solow

Southern economic journal, Vol.55(1), pp.70-85

07/01/1988

DOI: 10.2307/1058857

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Abstract

Current prospects for the expansion of nuclear electric generating capacity appear dim; there has not been a domestic order placed for a nuclear power plant since 1978, and over 80 plants have been cancelled since the early 1970s. Economies of scale are a crucial consideration in addressing nuclear power costs. By contrast, cost analyses for fossil-fueled electricity generation are more sophisticated. Extrapolating the future of the nuclear power industry from past experience is extremely risky. While the basic technology has not changed much since the late 1960s, the regulatory environment has changed constantly throughout the history of the industry. The results suggest that reductions in the cost of nuclear power are not likely to come from increased reactor size. Results indicate that for large output levels, multiunit plants are more efficient than single unit plants.

Cost analysis

Economies of scale

Electricity

Electricity generation

Fossils

Mathematical models

Nuclear energy

Nuclear power plants

Power

Production functions

Studies

Details

Title: Subtitle: Economies of Scale in Nuclear Power Generation
Creators: Anthony Krautmann
John Solow
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Southern economic journal, Vol.55(1), pp.70-85
DOI: 10.2307/1058857
ISSN: 0038-4038
eISSN: 2325-8012
Publisher: Southern Economic Association
Language: English
Date published: 07/01/1988
Academic Unit: Economics
Record Identifier: 9984963055902771

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