Factors causing delay in the installation of nuclear power plants

Abstract

Nuclear energy is a type of energy that has many advantages. Generating uninterrupted energy, not releasing carbon gas to the atmosphere and obtaining high amounts of electrical energy are examples to be given to this issue. These factors have increased the demands of countries for nuclear power plants. However, there is also a group against nuclear energy due to certain factors. Issues such as the explosion risk of the nuclear power plant and how to destroy radioactive wastes are accepted as the main reasons for this idea. On the other hand, in order for nuclear power plants to operate effectively, the country must have the necessary technological infrastructure and qualified personnel. These factors cause countries not to give priority to nuclear power plants. This study focuses on the factors that delay the establishment of nuclear power plants. In this context, first of all, a detailed literature review has been carried out on the subject. As a result of this study, 5 basic factors that will delay the establishment of nuclear power plants were determined. After that, an analysis has been conducted with the fuzzy DEMATEL method in order to determine which of the relevant factors are more important. The findings indicate that the energy reserve amount of the countries has been determined as the most important factor in opening nuclear power plants. Additionally, the expertise level and public acceptance are other significant issue in this regard. On the other hand, policy changes and technological infrastructure have lower importance for this situation. This result shows that countries resort to nuclear energy in order to reduce their dependence on foreign energy.