Nuclear

Capital Expenditures (CAPEX): Historical Trends, Current Estimates, and Future Projections

Nuclear power plant CAPEX is taken from the AEO2019 Reference Scenario (EIA, 2019a) with the adjustments discussed in the CAPEX definition section. The EIA advanced nuclear option is based on two AP1000 nuclear power plant units built on a brownfield site. The ATB includes only a single CAPEX projection for nuclear plants.

Current estimates and future projections calculated from AEO2019 (EIA, 2019a) and modified.

R&D Only Financial Assumptions (constant background rates, no tax changes)

Comparison with Other Sources

ATB cost numbers are for a brownfield nuclear facility.

Data sources include the ATB, Black & Veatch (2012), Entergy Arkansas (2015),Varro and Ha(2015), and Lazard (2016).

All sources have been normalized to the same dollar year. Costs vary due to differences in system design, methodology, and plant cost definitions.

References

Black & Veatch. (2012). Cost and Performance Data for Power Generation Technologies. Retrieved from Black & Veatch Corporation website: https://www.bv.com/docs/reports-studies/nrel-cost-report.pdf

EIA. (2019a). Annual Energy Outlook 2019 with Projections to 2050. Retrieved from U.S. Energy Information Administration website: https://www.eia.gov/outlooks/aeo/pdf/AEO2019.pdf

Entergy Arkansas. (2015). 2015 Integrated Resource Plan. Retrieved from Entergy Arkansas, Inc. website: http://entergy-arkansas.com/content/transition_plan/IRP_Materials_Compiled.pdf

Lazard. (2016). Lazard's Levelized Cost of Energy Analysis: Version 10.0. Retrieved from Lazard website: https://www.lazard.com/media/438038/levelized-cost-of-energy-v100.pdf

Varro, L., & Ha, J. (2015). Projected Costs of Generating Electricity: 2015 Edition. Retrieved from International Energy Agency website: https://www.iea.org/media/presentations/150831_ProjectedCostsOfGeneratingElectricity_Presentation.pdf