Why size matters more than ever in the UK's nuclear market

摘要

Is bigger always better? When It comes to nuclear reactors, the short answer Is: It depends. Large reactors such as the sort planned for Hinkley Point in Somerset or Wylfa in Anglesey are based on established technology and have the opportunity to piggy-back on international experience from elsewhere in the world. So if you need all that electricity (1,000 MW or more) and have somewhere suitable to build it, that's probably your best bet for the time being. However, these reactors do take a significant amount of time to build and have pretty eye-watering capital costs. They also require a coastal site for cooling water, which limits where they can go.