scholarly journals Role of the state in implementation of strategic investment projects: The SaHo Model for nuclear power

Author(s):  
Łukasz Sawicki ◽  
Bożena Horbaczewska

Abstract The purpose of the paper is to present an innovative business model, the SaHo Model, designed specifically to enable the Polish government to implement nuclear power development plans, which can be possibly used in other countries and in sectors requiring high capital expenditures. The SaHo Model solves the problems identified in the nuclear energy sector, which are related to high investment risk and high costs of capital at the investment stage, and ensures revenues after connection to the grid. Since the state is the investor at the initial stages, it takes over most of the risk in the short term. Selling the shares before connection to the grid, the state significantly reduces the financial involvement in the long term. From then on, the SaHo Model works similar to the Finnish Mankala or American electric cooperative models, producing and selling energy to their shareholders at production costs. None of the models used so far in nuclear energy provides such opportunities. The SaHo Model allows to enhance the competitiveness of the national industry and to increase public acceptance for nuclear power. Thus, it is not only a business model but also a concept for the functioning of the nuclear industry.

Author(s):  
Jean-Jacques Grenouillet

Nowadays, decommissioning of nuclear power plants has become a key issue for nuclear industry in Europe. The phasing out of nuclear energy in Germany, Belgium and Sweden, as well as the early closure of nuclear units in applicant countries in the frame of EU enlargement, has largely contributed to consider decommissioning as the next challenge to face. The situation is slightly different in France where nuclear energy is still considered as a safe, cost-effective and environment friendly energy source. Electricite´ de France (EDF) is working on the development of a new generation of reactor to replace the existing one and erection of a new nuclear power plant could start in the next few years. Nevertheless, to achieve this objective, it will be necessary to get the support of political decision-makers and the acceptance of public opinion. Due to the growing concern of these stakeholders for environmental issues, their support can only be obtained if it is possible to demonstrate that nuclear energy industry will not leave behind unsolved issues that will be a burden to the next generations. In this context decommissioning of the first generation of EDF NPPs constitutes a prerequisite for the erection of a new type of nuclear power plant. This paper will present the programme defined by EDF for the decommissioning of its nine already shutdown reactors (Fig. 1). The reasons of the recent evolution of EDF decommissioning strategy will be explained and the key issues that will contribute to the successful implementation of this programme will be addressed. Finally, what has been achieved on sites so far and major planned activities will be described.


2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 305
Author(s):  
Dóra Lovas

<p>The aim of the article is to present the ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in the case of the Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant. This investment can also be related to the Paks II nuclear power plant investment, therefore the two investments are compared too. Both projects were examined by the European Commission, which take an important part when the national aid was awarded to Hinkley Point C and Paks II projects, and the decision of the CJEU also had influence on it. The author considers the European Commission’s aid conception positive, because the less developed countries are not forced to use only the renewables, but the environmental and security aspects of nuclear energy are also allowed (e.g. Hinkley Point C and Paks II nuclear power plants). The subsidy was allowed in both cases, but the reasons are different. In these cases, the limits of the EU energy politics can be seen, i.e. the right to select the package and the priority of the energy security and sustainable development. To mention an example for the difference, in Great Britain the energy sector was divided among the participants on the market but in Hungary the nuclear energy remained under state control. In the first option the state wanted to prove that it grants offset for the help to the general market services and in the second option the market investor principle was highlighted in order to show no other market participant act in other way. These points were not accepted, the state aid was provided both cases with permissible reasons because the projects condescend the goals of environmental policy and energy security. The decisions show that as a result of the efforts to protect the environment the dependency on energy increased and it cannot be solved only be encouraging the usage of the renewables. The permissive attitude of the European Commission can be found here and it is influenced by the increased state regulative roles. According to the author, it also appears in the environmentally friendly decisions which refers to the Paris Agreement’s fulfilment and the involvement of environmental requirements into politics. Moreover, the European Union tries to maintain its leader role in economics, which can be reached by the decrease of energy dependency and the exclusive usage of renewable energies is not the appropriate solution. The CJEU judgement is relevant in several respects. The article focuses primarily on the issue of environmental protection, state aid and the relation between the Euratom Treaty and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.</p>


2021 ◽  
pp. 104-108
Author(s):  
F. F. Sharipov

China’s nuclear energy ambitions, backed by the strong financial potential of the national economy, and the consequent desire to extend its successes in international economic cooperation to the nuclear industry have attracted the researchers’ attention to a closer examination of the current state and nuclear industry prospects of China, taking into account its technological component. The unfulfilled development plan for nuclear power in the 13th Five-Year Plan, as a result of systemic mistakes and failures in the projects selected for implementation, leads to the conclusion that it is necessary to involve foreign leaders in this field, including “Rosatom” corporation, which has in its portfolio virtually verified modern technical solutions. 


Author(s):  
Clayton T. Smith

Welcome to the “Nuclear Renaissance”... The global nuclear renaissance and concerns over climate change were addressed by the keynote speakers at the 20th anniversary of POWER-GEN International, December 2, 2008. J.M. Bernhardt, Jr., chairman, president and CEO of Shaw Group, opened his presentation by acknowledging that the nuclear renaissance is not something that might happen; it is happening now. He stated that “When greenhouse gasses are in the mix, he believed nuclear is where we need to go.” Additionally, Jacques Besnainou, president and CEO of Areva, Inc supported Bernhardt with the call for more investment in nuclear power. He stated that “nuclear power is not THE solution, but there is no solution without nuclear power. What Will it Take to Make the Global Nuclear Renaissance a Success?Must have the need... The Department of Energy (DOE) indicates U.S. energy consumption is expected to grow 1.5 percent a year over the next two decades, and should reach an increased 45% baseload need by 2030. Additionally, the gap between total worldwide energy production and demand will double over the next 15–20 years. Must have the will... Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), and World Nuclear Association indicate that globally, 36 plants are currently under construction, 93 plants are on order or planned in 18 countries (30 in U.S.), and 219 projects are under consideration in 27 countries. Additionally, they indicate that the combination of low production costs, high reliability, safe operation and clean air benefits positions nuclear energy favorably to meet our baseload electricity needs today and for future expansion. Must have the commitment... Each of us who are members of the global nuclear community must have our core values embedded in a solid quality foundation. We exercise our commitment to quality daily by the application of our signature on documents, instructions, and drawings.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 670-687
Author(s):  
Jonathan Tollefson

Many thought that the 11 March 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan might be the end of the “global nuclear renaissance.” In Europe, mass media after Fukushima increasingly presented negative framing of nuclear energy and highlighted declining support for the nuclear industry. In the United States, however, nuclear production and public support for the industry remained steady. This article analyzes US media documents to understand the construction of public discourse on nuclear power in the wake of the Fukushima disaster. Through a content analysis of US newspapers, it demonstrates that post-Fukushima media framed the crisis in a way that privileged expert knowledge and opinion, while delegitimizing non-expert engagement with nuclear energy issues. A comparison between national newspapers and newspapers located in two regions with controversial nuclear plants and active anti-nuclear citizens’ movements additionally demonstrates the power and reach of the identified framework across the spectrum of views on nuclear power.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 128-135
Author(s):  
X. V. Mishchenko ◽  
A. E. Uzhanov

The author estimates the impact of PR technologies on the development of nuclear power in Russia and in a number of foreign countries (USA, China, Japan, France). It is determined that as soon as at the stage of development of nuclear generation projects and other nuclear industry facilities, the use of public relations (PR), with a targeted impact on public opinion and interaction with target audiences (TA) at its core, has a significant impact on decision-making in favor of the construction of nuclear power plants, minimizes the protest behavior of the population. It is shown that the advantages of nuclear power among alternative energy sources for strengthening the socio-economic potential of states and increasing their environmental well-being are most clearly, quickly and effectively disclosed through using public relations tools. PR enables to form an adequate and correct understanding of the physical and chemical foundations of nuclear power engineering, the main threats and systems for their minimization or complete elimination at the conceptual, socio-psychological and socio-logical levels, as well as to form, in terms of specific objects and tools, the technological and organizational facilities for the development of nuclear energy projects both in Russia and in foreign countries. The activities of foreign and Russian companies aimed at ensuring loyal public opinion in relation to nuclear projects are critically described and analytically compared. The chronological framework covers the recent period: from the beginning of the 2000s to 2020. This period is noted as the most significant for the development of nuclear power in the world. Statistical data on changes in the attitude of the public in different countries to the prospects for the development of nuclear energy after the Chernobyl and Fukushima-1 disasters are presented. It is concluded that it is PR in its integrated application that contributes to government decision-making and public support in the construction of nuclear power plants in Russia and abroad.


1992 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHRISTIAN JOPPKE

This article analyzes the role of the state in the development of, and controversy over, civilian nuclear energy in West Germany. The static and uniform categories of state strength and state weakness are found insufficient to account for the capacity or incapacity of the state to formulate and implement nuclear policy. Instead, the analysis uncovers the existence of conflicting and contradictory models of statehood in postwar German politics. They shaped the particular contours of nuclear development and conflict.


Author(s):  
Yu. A. Olenin ◽  
V. I. Ilgisonis

Present-day problems and possible prospects of domestic nuclear power energy are discussed. The nuclear industry is concluded to can act as a powerful driver of scientific and technological progress, as a mechanism that stimulates the development of a wide range of industrial and technological segments of the country&apos;s economy. Based on the report at the General meeting of the RAS on November 13, 2018.


Author(s):  
Philippe Guiberteau ◽  
Jean-Guy Nokhamzon

Since the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) was founded in 1945 to carry out research programs on use of nuclear, and its application France has set up and run various types of installations : research or prototypes reactors, process study or examination laboratories, pilot installations, accelerators, nuclear power plants and processing facilities. Some of these are currently being dismantled or must be dismantled soon so that the DEN, the Nuclear Energy Division, can construct new equipment and thus have available a range of R&D facilities in line with the issues of the nuclear industry of the future. Since the 1960s and 1970s in all its centers, the CEA has acquired experience and know-how through dismantling various nuclear facilities. The dismantling techniques are nowadays operational, even if sometimes certain specific developments are necessary to reduce the cost of operations. Thanks to availability of techniques and guarantees of dismantling program financing now from two dedicated funds, close to 15 B€ for the next thirty years, for current or projected dismantling operations, the CEA’s Nuclear Energy Division has been able to develop, when necessary, its immediate dismantling strategy. Currently, nearly thirty facilities are being dismantled by the CEA’s Nuclear Energy Division operational units with its industrial partners. Thus the next decade will see completion of the dismantling and radioactive clean-up of the Grenoble site and of the facilities on the Fontenay-aux-Roses site. By 2018, the dismantling of the UP1 plant at Marcoule, the largest dismantling work in France, will be well advanced, with all the process equipment dismantled. After an overview of the French regulatory framework, the paper will describe the DD&R strategy, programme and feedback experience inside the CEA’s Nuclear Energy Division and its progress since ICEM 14 in 2011’s conference in Reims.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-80
Author(s):  
Sukamto

Since the enactment of Law No. 13 of 2003 concerning Employment, outsourcing labor is a reference for employers to add and reduce their employees. Employers feel safe in the context of efficiency in production costs (cost of production) if the outsourced worker is a worker services company, then the person responsible for the outsourced worker is a worker service company. In practice, outsourcing workers often receive unfair treatment in remuneration. In the Islamic economic system justice is upheld and becomes the main foundation in every economic activity. To realize justice, Islam presents the role of the state as a referee who maintains hunting regulations. This includes the obligation of employers to voluntarily return 'surplus value' to their workers. The state must make a forced effort if employers do not want to run it voluntarily. On the other hand, this combination of syirkah-ijarah in the outsourcing labor contract makes workers no longer a separate entity from the means of production as in capitalism. On the contrary, the concept does not make workers the absolute ruler of the means of production.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document