• Semi-Hemi-Demigod@kbin.social
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    4
    arrow-down
    2
    ·
    10 months ago

    So after 10-20 years of construction and cost overruns and 10-20 years of operating at a loss you start making money.

    And that’s assuming electricity rates don’t drop in that time. Which they are as renewables get deployed more and more because they don’t go 100% over budget in time and money.

    If we get started building nuclear power plants now, how much will storage and transmission tech improve before they’re even completed, let alone profitable?

    • Xavienth@lemmygrad.ml
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      3
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      10 months ago

      It’s not 10-20 years of construction AND 10-20 years at a loss, it’s 10-20 years of construction at a loss. Not great, but up to 40 years as you suggest sounds a lot worse because it’s a misrepresentation.

      • Semi-Hemi-Demigod@kbin.social
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        3
        arrow-down
        1
        ·
        10 months ago

        How long do you think it will take for a nuclear power plant to earn back the $34 billion it takes to build one? They’re definitely not making that much money the first year the plant is online.