Nuclear power plants have a history of major cost overruns and
missed deadlines. Of plants whose construction was started prior
to 1977, the average actual construction costs were two to three
times higher than the average projected cost. The average
project was extended at least three years beyond its original
completion date. Delays and real cost escalation in France’s
uniquely organized reactor program followed a broadly similar
pattern. This analysis by the U.S. Energy Information
Administration in 1986 includes overnight costs (the cost in the
absence of financing and escalation costs) and lead-times for 75
nuclear plants that became operational before 1986. Only 12
nuclear plants have been built in the United States since, with
the last of these coming online in 1993. The massive cost and
lead-time overruns were caused by many interrelated factors
including a turbulent regulatory climate, unstandardized system
designs, challenges in managing complex, multi-year projects,
and a deteriorating attitude tow