Deregulation of the electricity markets in North America and Western Europe has had many profound effects on the electric utilities and the nuclear industry. Deregulation has led to cost transparency, increased competition, and a drive by the utilities to reduce costs in order to maintain market share and margins. The combination of economic and political pressure has led to the threat that large numbers of nuclear stations may be closed early. However, recent developments in the US have seen a move to life extension, as a combination of a perceived energy shortage, concerns over CO2 emissions and a desire by the utilities to make the best use of existing capital take effect.
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