Nuclear energy is cheaper than other energy. This claim is irrational because nuclear cost intentionally ignores substantial hidden costs associated with spent fuel management, various research and development, and insurance.
You can read the cost analysis http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cost_of_electricity_by_source
But some analysis is listed here. Different operational cost make cost different for each country.
UK energy costs for different generation technologies in pounds per megawatt hour (2010)
California levelized energy costs for different generation technologies in US dollars per megawatt hour (2007)
Technology[14] | Cost (USD/MWh) |
---|---|
Advanced Nuclear | 067 67 |
Coal | 074 74-88 |
Gas | 313 313-346 |
Geothermal | 067 67 |
Hydro power | 048 48-86 |
Wind power | 060 60 |
Solar | 116 116-312 |
Biomass | 047 47-117 |
Fuel Cell | 086 86-111 |
Wave Power | 611 611 |
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Technology | Cost (AUD/MWh) |
---|---|
Nuclear (to COTS plan)[16] | 040 40–70 |
Nuclear (to suit site; typical)[16] | 040 75–105 |
Coal | 028 28–38 |
Coal: IGCC + CCS | 053 53–98 |
Coal: supercritical pulverized + CCS | 064 64–106 |
Open-cycle Gas Turbine | 101 101 |
Hot fractured rocks | 089 89 |
Gas: combined cycle | 037 37–54 |
Gas: combined cycle + CCS | 053 53–93 |
Small Hydro power | 055 55 |
Wind power: high capacity factor | 055 63 |
Solar thermal | 085 85 |
Biomass | 088 88 |
Photovoltaics | 120 120 |
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German
Energy source | Costs of electricity production in euros per megawatt hour |
Nuclear Energy | 107.0 – 124.0 |
Brown Coal | 88.0 – 97.0 |
Black Coal | 104.0 – 107.0 |
Domestic Gas | 106.0 – 118.0 |
Wind Energy Onshore | 49.7 – 96.1 |
Wind Energy Offshore | 35.0 – 150.0 |
Hydropower | 34.7 – 126.7 |
Biomass | 77.1 – 115.5 |
Solar Electricity | 284.3 – 391.4 |
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