[gridlockd]

My theory is that companies in the west don't have much of an incentive to actually build plants to completion, so they don't.

In this political climate, it is unlikely that another reactor will ever be commissioned, operating a plant is an ongoing risk that can be avoided by never even going online.

Might as well keep the paychecks for everyone coming for a while, then sail smoothly into inevitable bankruptcy.

[Brakenshire]

“In this political climate, it is unlikely that another reactor will ever be commissioned”

That’s nonsense, the UK is right in the middle of commissioning 5-10 new nuclear reactors, if Areva/EDF could demonstrate an ability to build these plants on budget there’s a huge market opportunity.

[gridlockd]

> That’s nonsense, the UK is right in the middle of commissioning 5-10 new nuclear reactors, ...

I'm not talking about the reactors that already have been or will be commissioned soon. I'm talking about the situation in 10 years when these reactors are supposed to be finished.

Let's see what the situation is like today:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proposed_nuclear_power_station...

Hinkley B - under construction, way over budget already

Oldbury and Wylfa Newydd - shelved

Moorside - failed

Bradwell B - Chinese venture

That leaves Sizewell C, to be completed in 2031.

That's just a not a good trend for western companies.

> ...if Areva/EDF could demonstrate an ability to build these plants on budget there’s a huge market opportunity.

If private companies need to be dragged in with tons of incentives just to get involved, that doesn't sound like a great opportunity at all.

[Tade0]

This reminds me of what my friend once said about a failed project he was in:

The worst thing that happened to this project was that it went to production. Had it not come to pass everything would be fine.