PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP IN NUCLEAR ENERGY: THE USA EXPERIENCE

The public-private partnership (PPP) is a mechanism suited for running nuclear power plant (NPP) construction projects under conditions of limited state funding. The USA PPP experience with its 50-year tradition and real results achieved in the XXI century is undoubtedly the most mature in the global nuclear power industry: in 2008 the NPP construction project (Vogl, 3, 4) was launched in the USA being the first in 30 years. The PPP adaptation to new NPP projects is in demand both in Russia and abroad. The study of the American PPP practice in the nuclear industry includes the historical review, the comparative analysis of the liberalized and regulated energy markets as well as the survey of the legal and regulatory incentives that had an impact on the Vogl NPP project. The government at the federal and regional levels is taking the following measures to make the partnership attractive for all participants: the program of government guarantees for the US Department of Energy loans; the state system of the NPP owner liability insurance in the event of a nuclear accident; granting NPP owners a permission to include their NPP construction investments into tariff rates of energy consumers, etc. The study used the methods of analysis and synthesis, including the problem-chronological and logical analysis, as well as case studies. Based on the research findings, three fundamental components of a successful PPP for NPP projects were identified: guaranteed return on investments as a result of the stable and receptive market of energy sales at long-term fixed rates and stable costs of energy generation by nuclear power plants, actually independent of the uranium market situation; a solid national nuclear energy support policy implemented in specific support programs; a proactive approach of Vogl NPP shareholders. In the future, the analysis of the PPP experience of other countries in the nuclear industry (e. g., Finland, France, South Korea) will allow creation of a holistic PPP concept, which will make it possible to develop recommendations tailored to the specific features of individual NPP projects.

public-private partnership, government NPP support, NPP financing, Vogl, energy tariff rates

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