ABSTRACT
The current review of nuclear policy provides a good example of this. It is clear that future pressurised water reactors (PWRs) such as Sizewell C (the proposals for which were abandoned after this chapter was submitted) could either be a very good or a very poor investment, depending on factors such as the future price and availability of natural gas and the possible introduction of a carbon tax. But these factors are outside the nuclear industry's control, and the way they develop will not be known for a very long time; under these circumstances, it is unlikely that private industry would wish to risk its own money in building nuclear plant. Some Government intervention will be required.
