Plant Life Extension (PLEX) and Plant Life Management (PLIM): A New lease of Life for the Nuclear Industry

29 Jul 2010 • by Natalie Aster

“Plant Life Extension (PLEX) and Plant Life Management (PLIM): A New lease of Life for the Nuclear Industry” is the latest report from GlobalData. The report covers the global nuclear power plant life extensions (PLEX) and life management (PLIM), its the key contributing factors and the restraints in the global nuclear market. It provides comprehensive information on the market size for PLEX across different geographies. The report covers the regulatory policies and procedures for the implementation of PLEX in different countries. The future power uprates and the market revenues are examined in the report. The study also covers nuclear fuel demand in value terms due to the planned PLEX programs globally. Analysis of the key players involved in nuclear PLEX and power uprates globally are also examined in the report.

Growing Power Demand and Averting the Costs of New-Build are the Key Drivers for the Plant Life Extensions Globally

The growing demand for power globally is one of the chief contributing factors behind the growing importance of plant life extensions (PLEX). As per the Energy Information Administration, the global electric consumption will increase from 19,045 Billion kilo Watt hours (BkWh) in 2010 and will further reach 30,116 BkWh by 2030 growing at an Annual Average Growth Rate (AAGR) of 1.5% over the period.

The capital cost for building new nuclear plants is considered to be higher in comparison to thermal power plants. Extending the lifetime of the existing nuclear power plants will avert the costs of new builds with lower costs for equipment replacement and plant modifications. Thus, averting the new-build costs is a key driver for the increased plant life extensions globally.

The Nuclear Fuel Market for Plants Undergoing Life Extensions is Valued at $1.7bn Annually

The annual nuclear fuel market due to the planned PLEX, which create a sustained demand for nuclear fuel globally, is valued at $1.7bn. The US is already the largest nuclear fuel market globally in value terms for 2009. It is also the largest potential market for nuclear fuel because of its planned life extensions. The annual uranium enrichment market due to the global PLEX is the highest market by segment, worth $888.3m.

Europe and North America are the major markets for Power Uprates

Europe and North America will experience the largest share of revenues for nuclear plant life extension programs globally. The regions together will account for 92% of the global revenues for the power uprates market. The Asia-Pacific region has only one market with power uprates program being planned, contributing to the remaining share of the global power uprate market.

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