European Nuclear Power Plant Guide
2008 Operational, Under Construction, Planned & Proposed Facilities
Skyrocketing energy costs has recently increased public acceptance of nuclear power as a clean, safe alternative to using fossil fuels. Other reasons for this acceptance include rising worldwide energy demands, concerns over climate change, and many countries’ lack of energy independence. Governments have responded to demands with increased planning and construction of new nuclear power facilities, most notably in Europe.
Nuclear Power In Europe
Approximately 45% of the world’s currently operating nuclear facilities, and 33% of new reactor construction exists within Europe. As of September 30, 2007, European nations were hosts to 197 operational nuclear power plant units, providing a net electrical output capacity of 169,842 megawatts (MWe).
Operational Nuclear Power Plants
Eighteen European countries currently operate nuclear power plants (with number of reactors):
- Belgium - 7
- Bulgaria - 2
- Czech Republic - 6
- Finland - 4
- France - 59
- Germany - 17
- Hungary - 4
- Lithuania - 1
- Netherlands - 1
- Romania - 2
- Russian Federation - 31
- Slovakia - 5
- Slovenia - 1
- Spain - 8
- Sweden - 10
- Switzerland - 5
- Ukraine - 15
- United Kingdom - 19
Future European Nuclear Facilities
According to the World Nuclear Association, twelve European countries current have future plans or proposals for an additional 67 reactors. Planned projects have approvals and commitments in place, while proposed facilities have a clear intention, but no firm commitment to proceed.
The countries with current planned or proposed nuclear facilities are (with number of reactors):
Planned
- Belarus - 2
- Bulgaria - 2
- Romania - 2
- Russian Federation - 8
- Ukraine - 2
Proposed
- Czech Republic - 2
- Finland - 1
- France - 1
- Hungary - 2
- Lithuania - 2
- Romania - 1
- Russian Federation - 20
- Slovenia - 1
- Switzerland - 1
- Ukraine - 20
European Reactors Currently Under Construction
Nuclear reactors currently under construction in Europe include the following types:
- Fast breeder reactor (FBR)
- High-power channel reactor (RBMK)
- Pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR)
- Pressurized water reactor (PWR)
The following nuclear power facilities are currently under construction in Europe (by country and year of initial operations, with reactor name, type and net planned power output (MWe):
- Finland
- 2011
- Olkilouto 3 (PWR) - 1,600
- 2011
- France
- 2012
- Flamanville 3 (PWR) - 1,630
- 2012
- Romania
- 2007
- Cernavoda 2 (PHWR) - 650
- 2007
- Russian Federation
- 2009
- Volgodonsk 2 (PWR) - 950
- 2011
- Severodvinsk (PWR x 2) - 70
- Kalinin 4 (PWR) - 950
- Kursk 5 (RBMK) - 1,000
- 2012
- Beloyarsk 4 (FBR) - 750
- Novovoronezh 6 (PWR) - 1,070
- 2013
- Leningrad 5 (PWR) - 1,070
- Novovoronezh 7 (PWR) - 1,070
- 2014
- Leningrad 6 (PWR) - 1,200
- Volgodonsk 2 (PWR) - 1,200
- 2009
- Slovakia
- 2012
- Mochovce 3 (PWR) - 440
- Mochovce 4 (PWR) - 440
- 2012
In Bulgaria, construction of the 1,000 MWe PWR Belene 1 and 2 reactors is scheduled to begin in 2008, with subsequent operations slated to begin in 2012-13. Slovenia has a reactor on order for their Krsko facility, but construction has yet to be scheduled.
Storage of Nuclear Waste
Much of Europe has embraced nuclear power, but where will the resultant radioactive waste be stored? An ongoing suggestion is building a storage facility in Ukraine’s already contaminated Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. This option has already been discussed with the Ukrainian government, but apparently is no longer under consideration.
According to a recent report from the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources, another option is a large area of northern Germany that is geologically suitable for the indefinite storage of nuclear waste.
Taking initiative, Finland has begun construction of the world’s first facility for final disposal of high-level nuclear waste in Eurajoki, near the Olkiluoto facility.
Experts feel Europe only needs one or two major storage sites, not one in each individual country. Prudent decisions for long-term storage are needed now because it will take up to 20 years to safely construct an appropriate facility.
References
Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) Official Website.
Hawley, Charles. “Europe’s Nuclear Waste Conundrum.” Spiegel Online. April 19, 2007.
“Nuclear power plants in Europe.” European Nuclear Society. 2007.
“Plans For New Reactors Worldwide.” World Nuclear Association. October, 2007.
Repo, Eljas. “World’s most powerful nuclear power plant under construction at Olkiluoto.” Virtual Finland. Spetmeber 17, 2007.
“World Nuclear Power Reactors 2006-07 and Uranium Requirements.” World Nuclear Association. October 17, 2007.
