The Use of Foreign Experience in Nuclear Energy Costs Assessment in Russian practice
Relevance. Nuclear power uses developed technologies that allow to produce a large amount of energy without emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases; furthermore, nuclear generation reduces fluctuations in electricity tariffs and strengthens the country 's energy security. At the same time, high capital costs, combined with uncertainty in forecast about cost and construction period, can make investment in the construction of nuclear power plants a very risky operation. Since we can observe a renewed interest in nuclear energy in the world, primarily due to the desire to use low-carbon technologies, as well as the strategic reasons for reducing dependence on fossil fuels, it seems relevant to analyze modern approaches to the economic valuation of the cost of nuclear energy. The purpose of this study is to analyze modern foreign approaches to the assessment of the cost of nuclear energy in order to use them by domestic specialists for estimations of nuclear power plant construction projects. The objectives of this study are to identify key trends in the development of the world nuclear energy market and critical factors that influence the decision about construction of nuclear power plants, to analyze the costs included in the cost of nuclear energy production, as well as to develop methods of their optimization. Methodology. The study is based on overview of methodological approaches to the cost of nuclear energy estimation offered by international organizations in the field of nuclear energy. The article uses analytical, economic and comparative analysis tools. Results. Based on the results of the study, the classification of costs included in the cost of nuclear energy is proposed, their comparative analysis is carried out in terms of countries, the contribution of each of the cost items to the cost of nuclear energy production is analyzed, and ways of their optimization are proposed. Conclusion. The use of modern foreign approaches to the cost of nuclear energy estimation in domestic practice is a promising tool to increase the competitiveness of Russian nuclear power plant construction projects, both on domestic and foreign markets. SHAPE \* MERGEFORMAT