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The Future of Nuclear Power -- Are Investments in Nuclear Power Profitable in Comparison to Wind Power

Petersson, Sarah Alva Linnea LU (2023) EOSK12 20231
Department of Economic History
Abstract
In the face of an expected double demand for electricity by 2045 while also reaching the goal of being a net zero emission country, Sweden needs to expand the production capacity of low-emission electricity. As the right-wing government strives to facilitate new investments in nuclear power, this paper aims to examine the profitability of nuclear power in comparison to land-based wind power. Through a Levelized Cost of Electricity analysis it is established that the kWh cost of producing electricity by nuclear power is significantly higher than for wind power. However, by the supplementary literature review it is suggested that nuclear power has an intrinsic value of being a dispatchable power source that is not reflected in the LCOE... (More)
In the face of an expected double demand for electricity by 2045 while also reaching the goal of being a net zero emission country, Sweden needs to expand the production capacity of low-emission electricity. As the right-wing government strives to facilitate new investments in nuclear power, this paper aims to examine the profitability of nuclear power in comparison to land-based wind power. Through a Levelized Cost of Electricity analysis it is established that the kWh cost of producing electricity by nuclear power is significantly higher than for wind power. However, by the supplementary literature review it is suggested that nuclear power has an intrinsic value of being a dispatchable power source that is not reflected in the LCOE calculation. It is also argued that nuclear power has potential to attain lower costs in future projects by meticulous planning, experience and by taking advantage of economies of scale. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Petersson, Sarah Alva Linnea LU
supervisor
organization
course
EOSK12 20231
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Nuclear power, wind power, Levelized cost of electricity, LCOE
language
English
id
9123225
date added to LUP
2023-06-22 12:24:43
date last changed
2023-06-22 12:24:43
@misc{9123225,
  abstract     = {{In the face of an expected double demand for electricity by 2045 while also reaching the goal of being a net zero emission country, Sweden needs to expand the production capacity of low-emission electricity. As the right-wing government strives to facilitate new investments in nuclear power, this paper aims to examine the profitability of nuclear power in comparison to land-based wind power. Through a Levelized Cost of Electricity analysis it is established that the kWh cost of producing electricity by nuclear power is significantly higher than for wind power. However, by the supplementary literature review it is suggested that nuclear power has an intrinsic value of being a dispatchable power source that is not reflected in the LCOE calculation. It is also argued that nuclear power has potential to attain lower costs in future projects by meticulous planning, experience and by taking advantage of economies of scale.}},
  author       = {{Petersson, Sarah Alva Linnea}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{The Future of Nuclear Power -- Are Investments in Nuclear Power Profitable in Comparison to Wind Power}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}