Costs and stoppage of construction of a small nuclear reactor in the United States

Renewable energy and nuclear technology are becoming important aspects of the energy landscape. However, the recent decision of the US company NuScale Power to suspend construction of a small nuclear reactor in Utah was an unexpected step in the implementation of a promising technology.

NuScale Power decided to abandon the construction due to a sharp increase in costs by 53%. This decision is a serious blow to the future and promise of nuclear power, which aims to reduce emissions and ensure a sustainable energy system.

This decision also has a direct impact on international cooperation, as Energoatom, which signed a memorandum on the construction of similar reactors in Ukraine with NuScale Power, may feel the consequences of the termination of this project.

NuScale Power also pledged to pay UAMPS more than $49.8 million for the termination of construction. This caused the company's shares to plummet by 42%, indicating a serious impact of this decision on its financial condition.

Despite the favorability of nuclear power in light of climate change, the high cost of building new plants has become an important factor in its development. Southern Co.'s project is nearing completion, but its budget has exceeded estimates by billions of dollars.

One of the promises of small nuclear reactors was that they would be easier to build and reduce costs. So far, however, it appears that even these projects require careful economic and technical analysis to achieve effective commercialization.