Construction costs of nuclear power stations

Assuming that nuclear power will increasingly supply the base-load of electricity generation in the industrialised world, the author identifies areas where techniques and practices can be improved to control costs. He cites lack of standardisation and over-long licensing times as major factors in the recent rapid escalation of nuclear power costs and suggests that the adoption of standard reactor designs, the encouragement of a vigorous and competitive European nuclear industry and the streamlining of licensing procedures could improve matters.