The nature of deregulated energy markets in the United States has forced several nuclear reactors into early retirement over the next few years subjecting the energy market and economy as a whole to uncalculated risk. The unforeseen implications of early retirements of nuclear assets has inspired a cause for concern in Spain where nuclear power faces similar problems. In order to assess the danger that Spain's current market structure incentivizes a premature retirement of nuclear assets and suggest possible implications for carbon emissions, this thesis research project analyzed the economic performance of nuclear power generators in Spain and identified the underlying factors driving it. This was done by calculating the short run profitability of each nuclear reactor. Historical data on the generation, operating costs, and marginal price from the Spanish electricity market was gathered to develop a net profit model. The model was then applied looking forward into the future and revealed an average profitability of +32.24523 E/MWh for the nuclear reactors in Spain. These results point to a positive future for nuclear power in Spain and an incentive to extend the licenses of soon-to-be-retired reactors.

This book analyses the economic history of the nuclear program in Spain, from its inception in the 1950s to the nuclear moratorium in the early 1980s, and investigates the economic, financial and business origins of atomic energy in Spain. The actual dimension of the Spanish nuclear sector, which exceeded the relative economic and political clout of the country at the time, reflects the combination of domestic and foreign interests. Each contribution inserts the Spanish case within the international development of nuclear energy, but also shows how the Spanish nuclear program came about, how it was financed, and who the main architects and beneficiaries at the industrial, financial, commercial and banking levels were; all without losing sight of the energy policy aspects such as energy mix and energy security. The volume provides useful analysis and sources for a variety of core fields across the social sciences including economic history of post-war Europe, industrial and energy policy, international relations and history of technology.

This open access book discusses the eroding economics of nuclear power for electricity generation as well as technical, legal, and political acceptance issues. The use of nuclear power for electricity generation is still a heavily disputed issue. Aside from technical risks, safety issues, and the unsolved problem of nuclear waste disposal, the economic performance is currently a major barrier. In recent years, the costs have skyrocketed especially in the European countries and North America. At the same time, the costs of alternatives such as photovoltaics and wind power have significantly decreased.

The preparation of Country Nuclear Power Profiles (CNPP) was initiated within the framework of the IAEA's programme on assessment and feedback of nuclear power plant performance. It responded to a need for a database and a technical publication containing a description of the energy and economic situation, the energy and the electricity sector, and the primary organizations involved in nuclear power in IAEA Member States. The CNPP covers background information on the status and development of nuclear power programmes in countries having nuclear plants in operation and/or plants under construction. It reviews the organizational and industrial aspects of nuclear power programmes in participating countries, and provides information about the relevant legislative, regulatory and international frameworks in each country. The CNPP compiles the current issues in the new environment within which the electricity and nuclear sector operates, i.e. energy policy, and privatization and deregulation in these sectors, the role of government, nuclear energy and climate change, and safety and waste management, which differ from country to country. (This publication is also available

Presents information, advice and recommendations on the different principles, methods and guidelines which should be used and applied when conducting an economic evaluation of nuclear power plant bids. Annex I lists an improved IAEA cost account system for nuclear power plants.

Transforming the energy system is at the core of the dedicated sustainable development goal on energy within the new United Nations development agenda. This publication explores the possible contribution of nuclear energy to addressing the issues of sustainable development through a large selection of indicators. It reviews the characteristics of nuclear power in comparison with alternative sources of electricity supply, according to economic, social and environmental pillars of sustainability. The findings summarized in this publication will help the reader to consider, or reconsider, the contribution that can be made by the development and operation of nuclear power plants in contributing to more sustainable energy systems.

This publication assists existing and potential stakeholders in the definition of competitive approaches regarding design and deployment of small and medium sized reactors (SMR). It provides a framework for assessment of the investment attractiveness of nuclear power plant projects that adopts small reactor to be deployed in multi-modules and incorporate modularization construction technology. Main chapters detail past experience and future plans in several IAEA Member States and present the suite of models to assist designers and guide potential users on the economic performance and investment attractiveness of SMRs. A framework for the consolidated application of such models is also suggested. The annexes, contributed by Member States, provide in depth descriptions of different assessment models and give examples of their application.