The advanced gas-cooled reactor. A case study in reactor choice

High costs and extremely long and expensive R & D programmes have led to extensive involvement by governments in decisions concerning nuclear reactors. The authors examine the decision-making processes of the British nuclear industry, looking in particular at the history of the Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor (AGR). They conclude that both the institutional framework in which the decision was made and the decision itself give cause for concern. In particular the lack of public discussion and the dual role of the UKAEA as both prototype developer and technical adviser to the government make objective judgement difficult