How Do You Build Nuclear Power Stations Again?

摘要

Work on Europe's third generation of nuclear reactors is not going to plan. The first plant is being built in Olkiluoto in western Finland. It was meant to start operating next year, but the present estimate is that it will not be ready until 2012 at the earliest. It will also cost at least 50% more than was originally thought. Meanwhile, at Flamanville in Normandy the same European pressurised water reactor is being built for EDF, and this is going the same way. Recent reports claim that it is nine months behind schedule - which does not bode well for a project that has been on site for barely a year.rnFor the British nuclear new-build programme, this has grave implications. The European pressurised water reactor, designed by Areva NP, is one of two designs being considered for the UK, which means any technical problems it might have are a concern for Britain, too. Furthermore, most of the problems in Finland and France have been caused by civil engineering work, which would be the same for the UK's other option, Westinghouse's AP1000. In Finland and France, this is the reponsibility of Bouygues.