The growth of nuclear investments in a market environment [Le développement de l'investissement nucléaire en environnement de marché]
Résumé
After a long period of low nuclear investments owing to major political and regulatory obstacles, the governments of industrialised countries are again looking at nuclear energy as a major political option addressing long term weather and energy security risks. But the liberalisation of electrical industries currently adds a major requirement to that highly capitalistic type of investment perceives by investors as presenting specific risks. The reference competitive model is particularly incompatible with that type of investment in production for competing companies. But it is moving towards more investment-friendly structures. After indicating the specific requirements for nuclear investments in market environments, this article offers possible model adjustment options that could enable in boost such investments through drastic distancing: the development of long term electrical contracts, vertical and horizontal reintegration with a view to price - risk control and price - volume control, or the removal from the market of new nuclear productions through a purchase duty.