Kennedy Maize opines in an unusually negative view of the future of nuclear power. Only time will tell. Maize begins with a perspective-setting ditty. In 1957, legendary Calypso singer Harry Bellefonte recorded Jamaica Farewell, which became a major hit in the U.S. The song chorus ... Sad to say, I am on my way, will not be back for many a day.... Over the top maybe?
Now to his arguments...that looks like the theme song for nuclear power in the U.S. (and perhaps Western Europe as well). With the bankruptcy of Westinghouse and the pending dismemberment of its Japanese parent Toshiba, two ongoing, and way behind schedule and over budget, U.S. nuclear projects are in deep jeopardy.
On top of that, the near completion of a Finnish reactor, designed and built by French tottering, state-owned Areva nuclear firm, has likely lit a red light to anyone seeking to build a new nuke in Europe. Areva may disappear.
In the U.S., Georgia-based Southern Co. has taken over construction of the two-unit Vogtle plant, featuring Westinghouse hyped 1,117-MW AP1000 advanced reactor design, following Westinghouse March bankruptcy filing. Years behind schedule and billions over budget, it is not clear that the project will ever be finished. In any case, Georgia Power customers will pay for the mismanagement of the project. Post mortems will focus on many reasons for the project problems, including the hubristic utility and the credulous role of the Georgia Public Service Commission.
In neighboring South Carolina, SCANA Corp. and public power system Santee Cooper are facing a similar situation. They bought 2 Westinghouse AP1000 units to add to their existing, two-unit V.C. Summer plant, and are behind schedule and over budget. SCANA has a deal with Westinghouse to come up with a new approach to construction by the end of June.
His guess and it is just that, based on reading of U.S. nuclear history, is that both Vogtle and Summer eventually will fail.
What is his bias? For coal, gas?
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