Nuclear power now makes up about 25% of the generation of Georgia Power, the largest unit of Atlanta-based Southern Co.

First U.S. nuclear reactor built from scratch in decades enters commercial operation in Georgia::ATLANTA — A new reactor at a nuclear power plant in Georgia has entered commercial operation, becoming the first new American reactor built from scratch in decades.

  • icydefiance@lemmy.worldEnglish
    34·
    1 year ago

    Estimated total cost of decommissioning in the UK is £120bn.

    That’s for way more than just one plant, and there’s a lot more going on that resulted in such a high price tag. That isn’t normal.

    The nuclear waste storage facility cost 53bn to build, let alone run

    It’s a reinforced hole in the ground, designed to last a long, long time after humans forget it exists. Of course it cost money to build, but now it’s just there. It doesn’t cost anything for it to continue to exist. Maybe there’s a little security or staff for some purpose, but I don’t know what they would even do.

    • paintbucketholder@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      That’s for way more than just one plant, and there’s a lot more going on that resulted in such a high price tag. That isn’t normal.

      No, that’s pretty normal. Current experience with decommissioning German nuclear power plants show that the cost is about $1.2 billion per power plant, and that decommissioning takes about 20 years.

      Of course it cost money to build, but now it’s just there.

      That doesn’t mean you simply get to ignore the $53 billion it cost to dig that hole.