Summary
Trading ranges of fissile and historical prices Nuclear plant carbon signature Decommissioning and environmental implications
Analysis
As per the first point above, fissile material is at historical lows and on the other hand is susceptible of strong appreciation in short times as it is very sensitive to demand-offer balance. Increasing demand of fissile may well out-trade fissile materials in the long run for, yes, hydrocarbon.
As far as the second point, carbon emissions involved in the building of a mid-large scale nuc power plant are way high as well as contribution from ore mining, refining and transport. In other words, the integrated nuclear life cycle produces on a MW basis more emissions than a gas cogeneration plant inclusive of fuel opex. New nuclear is therefore not the solution nor asn help to climate changes and only old plants contribute to lower overall energy generation emissions.
Decommisioning is currently very costly and unsatisfactory especially as far as spent fuel. No clearer nor better viable and economical solutions are on sight for spent fuel disposal.
