The economics of nuclear fuel reprocessing : A case study of the windscale THORP plant

The comparative economics of the thermal oxide reprocessing plant are examined within the context of recent public pronouncements of nuclear power development in the UK to the year 2000, using ‘best estimates’ of available costings. Two principal scenarios for utilizing the fuel recovered from reprocessing are considered; recycle in thermal reactors and storage for use as fuel for fast reactor development and commercialization. Although the financial viability of reprocessing is proven in each case, it is argued that this conclusion can easily be invalidated given the extensive degree of inconsistency in the published cost estimates of many ‘back end’ fuel cycle operations.