Why are nuclear reactors commonly built near cities and not in the middle of nowhere like Siberia and Australia?

Question

Is it because the lack of infrastructure that they can’t deal with it on the offset of a nuclear meltdown? Or that the resources needed to maintain the reactor needs to be efficiently sent?

In: Engineering

Answer 1

Nuclear reactor turbines would require pumping a huge amount of water from a nearby source. To cool the reactor and create steam for the turbine to produce electricity.

So aside from the convenience of running shorter power distribution line to nearby cities. Nuclear power plants also need a reliable water source that won’t dry out in case of drought.