Nuclear Energy - Outlook For Domestic Nuclear Energy

In its Annual Energy Outlook 2004 (2004), the Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicted that the capacity of nuclear power plants will be maintained as they age through 2025. Thus, electricity generation by these plants is projected to increase slightly from 2002 to 2025, but its contribution to U.S. electricity production will decline as electricity generation by coal, natural gas, and renewables increases.

No nuclear units are projected to be retired between 2002 and 2025, nor are any new nuclear units expected to become operable during that time span because natural gas and coal-fired plants are projected to be more economical. However, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved eighteen applications for power uprates for plants in 2002 and another nine were approved or pending as of 2003. (A power uprate is an increase in the power output of a nuclear power plant, which is accomplished by adding a more highly enriched uranium fuel to

FIGURE 5.6

the current fuel. The plant must be able to operate safely at the higher power level.)