“Coal-to-Nuclear Transitions”: an Information Guide Released in the United States

The U.S. Department of Energy has released an information guide for communities considering replacing their obsolete coal power plants with nuclear power plants. The guide is based on a technical study that demonstrated that transitioning from a coal plant to a nuclear one would increase local employment opportunities, create additional higher paid jobs, and spur increased revenues and economic activity in the community where the site will be reused.

This document describes the experience gained so far and illustrates analytical forecasts that can be applied also in Ukraine, as our country is a participant in the Phoenix project and plans to replace old thermal power plants with nuclear ones.

Economic component

The study is based on five differently sized and powered TPPs replaced by five differently sized and powered advanced reactors in five communities with different numbers of inhabitants.

The document takes into account the maximum impact caused by the combination of the institution’s performance, the supply chain, and any additional community impacts from project costs and benefits.

Workforce development

An important aspect is the employment of specialists who have previously worked at the TPP.

Given that a fairly wide range of specialties is common to both industries, some of the employees do not even need to change their job profile. For example: industrial mechanics, electricians, fitters and hydraulics. Other specialists will have the opportunity to change their qualifications to work at a nuclear power plant. Training will take place on-site, and exams and tests will be conducted to test the knowledge.

The information manual also states that the number of workers and average income will almost double with the transition to the nuclear industry.

Correlation of educational levels

Both coal and nuclear power plants require specialists with different education levels. Understanding the difference between the number of jobs due to the education of workers in both industries, we can draw conclusions about the need for additional education. For example, a nuclear power plant requires 40% more bachelors, 55% more masters and doctors, while the need for specialists with other levels of education is almost the same or even less.

However, not all employees have the opportunity to obtain a higher education degree, as it requires them to travel and temporarily live in other cities where they will be studying, which poses some financial difficulties and inconveniences for families. That is why the operating organization that will be conducting the transition, community leaders, and trade unions should work together to determine how they can support the existing workforce by providing them with access to educational courses.

Ways to train and retrain the workforce

Nuclear industry enterprises often have training strategies and recruitment tactics in place. To minimize negative impacts, communities should consider early and regular communication with operating organizations, and ensure early implementation of training and retraining programs.

In places where educational institutions are located, it is common to be offered employment at a coal power plant after completing training programs. To retrain employees, it is necessary to adapt training to work in nuclear specialty. In addition to the offline format, employees can also use online educational programs to take additional courses or obtain a new degree.

Trade unions can also play a role in training or retraining the transitional workforce, as they have experience in organizing workers, providing them with resources, and interacting with employers, politicians, and local authorities on their behalf.

Real transition factors

As businesses seek to meet energy demand, create a diversified energy profile, and reduce carbon emissions, they may consider replacing coal power plants that are being shut down or decommissioned with nuclear power plants.

Switching from coal to nuclear power is a complex process. Businesses need to weigh competing priorities and make decisions about timing, project scope, technical requirements, infrastructure reuse, and costs.

First, a company can consider the following four questions to help determine the transition from coal to nuclear based on a compatible nuclear power plant concept and existing coal plant infrastructure:

• What capacity should the new nuclear power plant provide?
• Will the nuclear power plant be built on or near the site of a former coal-fired power plant?
• What existing infrastructure of the coal-fired power plant can be reused for the nuclear power plant?
• Can the project compensate for the difference in operation between the two plants?

According to the U.S. Department of Energy