By Editors of Power Engineering

A study by Bloomberg New Energy Finance indicates 34 of the 61 nuclear plants operating in the United States are losing money.

Though nuclear plants receive between $20 and $30 per MW/h of electricity, it costs them an average of $35 per MW/h to run. The report noted nearly all the reactors owned by Exelon, Entergy and FirstEnergy are operating at losses.

In an emailed statement, Entergy indicated nuclear generators are facing financial challenges due to sustained wholesale power price declines and other unfavorable market conditions. Entergy, Exelo and FirstEnergy declined to provide specific financial information for its nuclear plants.

However, shuttering all unprofitable nuclear plants would “easily vanquish” all emissions reductions made by the sector since 2012.

“It’s a real threat to carbon-emission reductions,” said Nicholas Steckler, an author on the report. “How regulators confront this widespread challenge has massive implications.”