Nuclear energy economy

Myth: ? Nuclear energy is too expensive.

Facts: ! The average price for 1 kwh generated in a nuclear power plant in the US is 1.72 US cents. If generated by the thermoelectric plant fired by coal – 1.80 US cents, gas – 5.57 US cents, oil – 5.53 US cents. The cost of 1 kwh generated in the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant is approximately 7 cents, while gas, oil or orimulsion-fired modernized Elektrėnai thermal plant generated kwh costs not less than 11 cents. Only hydroelectric plants generate cheaper electricity than nuclear plants.

Myth: ? Nuclear energy is “dead”, no more plants are planned to be constructed in the world.

Facts: ! Currently, as many as 28 new nuclear power plants are being constructed worldwide (in India, China, Russia, Japan, Canada, the USA, Finland, Romania and other countries). 35 more are planned to be constructed.

Myth: ? Two thirds of the world’s population are against nuclear energy.

Facts: ! As the data collected in 2004 show, only 26 per cent of Americans are against nuclear energy, while as many as 67 per cent are supporting it. The results of the survey of 2007 show that more than a half of Lithuania’s population support the Visaginas Nuclear Power Plant Project.

Myth: ? Renewable resource energy is better than nuclear energy.

Facts: ! In order to combat global warming, it is necessary to develop not only renewable recourses energy, but also nuclear energy, which is reliable, cost-effective and requires significantly less land to generate the same amount of energy.