Problems for nuclear power

Nuclear power’s “cheap, clean, and secure” promise is breaking down.

Small modular reactors (SMRs) remain largely theoretical, with the only
advanced U.S. project cancelled over high costs. Renewables and storage now
dominate energy economics, offering faster build times, flexibility, and
lower prices. New nuclear remains slow, expensive, and deeply reliant on
state support. In today’s European power markets, where renewables are
already driving prices to record lows or even negative territory, the idea
that nuclear can deliver “cheap and secure” power no longer holds up.
In 2024, countries like Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands each recorded
more than 450 hours of negative day-ahead prices. France saw nearly 360.
Across the EU, negative or ultra-low price hours exceeded 9,000 in total.
For inflexible, capital-intensive baseload assets like nuclear, that’s
disastrous. These plants can’t ramp down profitably when prices collapse.
Their economics depend on constant, high utilization, and that world is
disappearing.

Oil Price 21st Nov 2025

https://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Nuclear-Power/Nuclears-Costly-Comeback-Meets-Harsh-Market-Reality.html