The Real Economics of Nuclear Power

Project team: Associate Professor Mark Diesendorf, Mihnea Dinu

A proper analysis of the economics of nuclear power has to take into account the subsidies directed by the government and the community at large to nuclear industry from its inception in the 1950s. These subsidies include loan guarantees and low-interest loans, uranium enrichment, waste management and decommissioning, research and development, inadequate insurance for accidents, environmental clean-up costs, stranded assets paid by electricity consumers and taxpayers, and guaranteed prices for electricity generated.

Description

Mihnea Dinu, who is doing a Masters degree at the Technical University of Hamburg-Harburg, visited IES in September–December 2013 as a practicum student.
Supervised by A/Prof Mark Diesendorf he has reviewed several of the subsidies to nuclear power and a detailed discussion paper is now available [PDF].
In addition a journal paper is being prepared specifically on the insurance subsidy to nuclear power.