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Take the UAE for example, who are experts at large scale energy projects, they have constructed and commissioned 4 nuclear reactors, on time, on budget. Your o

Take the UAE for example, who are experts at large scale energy projects, they have constructed and commissioned 4 nuclear reactors, on time, on budget. Your own link says that the first reactor was originally scheduled to start supplying electricity in 2017 but actually entered operation in 2020. It also says "As of 22 March 2018, the project's total cost was refined to $24.4 billion to complete. However, by April 9, 2020, Power Technology reported that the project cost was $32 billion." 3 years late and 30% over budget is OK by nuclear project standards, considering much greater delays and budget blowouts in recent US/EU projects. But it's not on time and on budget.

bruce511 2y ago
It's a huge power plant. 5.6 giga watts. And they did ok with tineline and budget. It did take 12 years of construction, and 32 billion in funding. And they project would have been in development long before construction started. All in a regulatory environment which priorities "getting stuff done" and where there's plenty of capital to invest. (And investors who play a very long game.) There might be conditions somewhere that are more favorable, but its not the US. could it be done? Obviously yes. Will it be done in the US? Not a chance.
Gud 2y ago
Ok, still, the plant now provides a substantial amount of energy to the region. I suspect the pandemic might have provided a cause for the delay. I was myself involved in a large energy project in the UAE and remember the challenges caused by the lockdowns happening. But probably with a 30% over budget bill, that is only partially an explanation. Additionally, the UAE is big users of solar, also having been early adopters of the technology. And like solar, you can build nuclear in small and large scale plants. But my favourite contender for future, base energy source is fusion power, https://www.technologyreview.com/2024/10/31/1106384/inside-a-fusion-energy-facility https://www.technologyreview.com/2024/10/31/1106384/inside-a...

bruce511 2y ago

It's a huge power plant. 5.6 giga watts. And they did ok with tineline and budget. It did take 12 years of construction, and 32 billion in funding. And they project would have been in development long before construction started. All in a regulatory environment which priorities "getting stuff done" and where there's plenty of capital to invest. (And investors who play a very long game.) There might be conditions somewhere that are more favorable, but its not the US. could it be done? Obviously yes. Will it be done in the US? Not a chance.

Gud 2y ago

Ok, still, the plant now provides a substantial amount of energy to the region. I suspect the pandemic might have provided a cause for the delay. I was myself involved in a large energy project in the UAE and remember the challenges caused by the lockdowns happening. But probably with a 30% over budget bill, that is only partially an explanation. Additionally, the UAE is big users of solar, also having been early adopters of the technology. And like solar, you can build nuclear in small and large scale plants. But my favourite contender for future, base energy source is fusion power, https://www.technologyreview.com/2024/10/31/1106384/inside-a-fusion-energy-facility https://www.technologyreview.com/2024/10/31/1106384/inside-a...