A supportive energy policy environment that promotes investment in long-term, capital-intensive projects is essential for new nuclear build. Almost all nuclear reactors operating today were built in state-controlled or regulated markets.
Similar to many forms of renewable energy, the majority of costs are upfront capital. Nuclear power plants can operate for decades – in the USA, operation to 80 years are being considered – during which time operational costs are generally very low. Over the lifetime of a project, nuclear energy is among the most cost-competitive forms of generating low carbon electricity(4).