Approaches to Cost-Benefit Analysis of New Nuclear Power Projects

INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY

IAEA Nuclear Energy Series No. NG-T-4.8

English STI/PUB/2079 ¦ 978-92-0-105324-4

100 pages ¦ 29 figures ¦ € 42.00 ¦ Date published: 2024

https://doi.org/10.61092/iaea.5t26-8tpd

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Description

Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) is an economic appraisal tool which can be used to inform an investment decision, for instance, the construction of a nuclear power plant. In a CBA, the costs and benefits are accounted for as fully as possible, allowing estimation of the net economic benefit associated with the project relative to a without-the-project scenario, or an alternative investment proposal. This publication suggests an approach for conducting a CBA for a nuclear newbuild project as part of a feasibility study. It presents a CBA framework which is built around four key steps to characterize a project: the project’s objectives, alternatives to the project, and the broad context; a financial analysis, including estimates of costs and profitability; an economic analysis, taking a broader view to include additional benefits and costs to society; and a sensitivity and risk analysis to assign a confidence level to key financial and economic indicators and identify the circumstances in which the project will generate value. The publication includes a case study to illustrate the framework’s application and describes, for example, the methodology used for valuing environmental benefits, such as emissions and pollution reduction. The publication is aimed at all stakeholders involved in the planning and decision-making on a nuclear new build project.

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Keywords

IAEA Nuclear Energy, Approaches, Cost-Benefit Analysis, CBA, New Nuclear Power Projects, Nuclear Power Plants, Cost Effectiveness, Economic Aspects, Management, Economic Appraisal Tool, Investment Decision, Estimation, Nuclear Newbuild Project, Feasibility Study, CBA Framework, Project’s Objectives, Alternatives to the Project, Broad Context, Financial Analysis, Estimates of Costs, Profitability, Economic Analysis, Costs to the Society, Sensitivity and Risk Analysis, Key Financial and Economic Indicators, Case Study, Key Principles of Cost, Methodology, Willingness to Pay, WTP, Cost Benefit Analysis Toolkit, Seven Step Process, The Fictitious Country, Ladonia, Discount Rates, External Costs of Electricity, Financial Profitability, Socioeconomic Desirability, Review