The 21st Century Nuclear Power Plant Marketplace

Abstract

This paper examines the restructuring of electrical generation, transmission and distribution utilities which is occurring in the Pacific Basin and elsewhere and their impact on the development of the nuclear industry in the region. While many structures currently forming are transitional, the framework of a new, internationalized global utility business is taking shape which profoundly alters the nature of the power generator marketplace. These changes have accelerated and have themselves been affected by recent developments in the technologies and economics of resource discovery and exploitation and power generation. They are occurring in a context of awakening concern for the environment on both local and global levels, rapid reduction of trade and investment barriers, the liberalization of energy pricing and currencies and the globalization of finance and capital markets. They have been both complicated and accelerated by the financial crisis which Asia is currently undergoing.