Nuclear costs

Posted: 26th August 2026

This report provides a more detailed analysis of the observed development of the construction costs of new nuclear power plants and discusses the possible costs of a possible new construction in Switzerland as well as their uncertainties. In addition, current financing models in Europe and the financial risks associated with construction for the state and the economy are presented. [Paul Dorfman says: The report is significant because, unlike many other cost studies, it derives the risks from real construction projects and, for the first time, also takes into account the immense financing costs during the long construction period of a nuclear power plant. It therefore estimates the expenditures to be 20 to 30 % higher than estimates that consider only the pure construction costs.
According to the report, these account for around 70 % of the total costs over the plant’s service life. The study authors concludes, without billions in federal guarantees, no private investor would be willing to take on the financial risk.]

Swiss Academy of Sciences 21st Aug 2026

https://scnat.ch/en/uuid/i/5e8fa25a-bfa9-54ac-b33b-4e5f464f8561-Baukosten_und_Finanzierung_von_neuen_Kernkraftwerken_in_der_Schweiz