4 years 1 month 3 weeks to build a nuclear reactor

ABrass

Apparently the newest offshore farms are expecting high 40s or as much as 50% capacity factor. Which is huge. Given the latest farms are effectively subsidy free and the costs are only going to fall further the writing is on the wall for other power sources.

GreatApe

ABrass wrote: »

Apparently the newest offshore farms are expecting high 40s or as much as 50% capacity factor. Which is huge. Given the latest farms are effectively subsidy free and the costs are only going to fall further the writing is on the wall for other power sources.

Firstly I am pro offshore wind power and expect it will play a big part, perhaps the biggest part for future energy needs of the UK and wind power generally on and offshore might be the world's #1 source come 2050

But It depends what the goal is and each country has its own variation and quantity is very important. Less than 20 reactors is probably very different speed and economics wise Vs more than 30 reactors

Economic: Just keep using what you got
Most rapid deep deployment in advanced countries: Nuclear
Most deep decarb: Nuclear
Least grid upgrades necessary: Nuclear
Most rapid in undeveloped countries: fossil fuels
Most necessary: probably hydropower as it also offers flood control and irregation
Most marginal useful in hot countries: probably PV upto a certain amount
Most land efficient: CCGTs

For the UK nuclear isn't a good option Because we already have sorted the grid out
For some countries it makes a lot of sense to have a mix which includes nuclear
This is true for China and India and the USA