Because a modern coal plant can provide rock steady power at $.05&#x2F;kwh, day in and day out. Yes, thorium, uranium, VOC&#x27;s, and mercury suck. And the CO2 isn&#x27;t exactly a benefit. But compared to the abject poverty, or even eternal &quot;developing&quot; status some countries acquire, it is probably a worthwhile investment, or at least should be given as an option. At least until solar becomes cheaper and we find a way to store energy for when it is needed. [EDIT] Because this isn&#x27;t just about providing retail power to consumers, but commercial power to factors and industry, to generational wealth to pull whole societies out of poverty.<p>But asking the Congo to invest in massive solar farms when it can&#x27;t afford cheap coal, is just cruel.<p>And Vietnam, China and many other countries see nuclear as the only sensible option. We only have about 3 billion years of fuel left (including thorium, but excluding the immeasurable amount of uranium that could be mined from Ocean water).