Crystal Balls and Cooling Ponds: An Insight into Financial Forecasting and Funding Problems of the Nuclear Legacy

Globally, ageing civilian nuclear plant and their toxic wastes are in need of decommissioning and disposal as operational lives end. In the UK, a legacy (DTI 2002) of such plant has emerged from an embryonic nuclear industry that initially prospered but ultimately failed. This legacy’s estimated financial forecasts and liabilities are increasing while no sustainable funding solution is in place. Using a historical analytical approach, the paper aims to identify uncontained financial matters and in the context of this industry to determine if the application of accounting conventions is appropriate. Possible solutions that may have relevance to other nuclear nations are suggested forming the papers primary contribution.