Staffan Qvist, PhD
Uppsala University, Sweden
Based on the empirical data from the Swedish light water reactor program of 1962-1986, the; potential for global nuclear power expansion to replace fossil fuel electricity production was estimated.
The data shows that if the world built nuclear power at the per capita rate of Sweden during its expansion, fossil fuel electricity could be replaced within 5 years. Taking in to account relevant factors such as the relative economic output, current and past unit construction time and costs, future electricity demand growth projections and the decommissioning of existing nuclear plants, the estimate is that the global share of fossil fuel electricity could be replaced in 25± 2 years.
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