Nuclear power: the case for a long term policy

Abstract

The present rapid expansion of the nuclear power programme is based largely on slightly enriched thermal reactor types with poor plutonium production, and could exhaust the rich uranium reserves well before the end of the century, whilst producing an inadequate plutonium inventory for a future fast breeder programme. A more gradual expansion of the thermal reactor programme based on “near‐breeder” reactors would extend the rich reserves to the year 2000 and build up an adequate plutonium inventory for a significant fast breeder programme, with the possibility of introducing the thorium fuel cycle early in the 21st century.