Is Nuclear Power an Optimal Option for Electricity Generation in Turkey?

Abstract

In this study, a multicriteria analysis for comparing nuclear power and current energy sources for electricity generation in Turkey is performed by utilizing the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution method. In the evaluation process five energy sources (nuclear power, hydropower, windpower, natural gas, and fossil fuels) are evaluated with respect to four evaluation criteria (total generation cost, emission of CO2, efficiency, and acceptability). Based on the combination of criteria weights, four different scenarios are generated to conduct the sensitivity analysis and rank options under different circumstances. This study indicates that nuclear power is the second option after hydropower in the event that total generation cost, emission of CO2, and efficiency is more important than other criteria in generated scenarios. Turkey, whose electricity sources are mainly fossil fuels, hydropower and natural gas, should utilize nuclear power for generating electricity because diversity on electricity generation is a reliable way to satisfy electricity demand.