Energy IEA sees nuclear power on the verge of a global comeback
According to a study by the International Energy Agency (IEA), nuclear energy is on the verge of a global comeback in the face of rising demand for electricity. Interest in nuclear energy is greater than at any time since the oil crisis in the 1970s.
16.01.2025, 06:57
SDA
More than 40 countries are striving to expand nuclear energy, the IEA announced in Paris on Thursday.
The increase in electricity demand is not only occurring in traditional sectors such as industry, but also in new areas such as the operation of electric cars and data centers as well as the use of artificial intelligence. According to the IEA, electricity generation from the global fleet of almost 420 reactors will reach a new high in 2025.
Ten percent of global electricity generation
Even though some countries are phasing out nuclear energy or shutting down their plants prematurely, global electricity generation from nuclear power plants is increasing. Japan is resuming production, maintenance work on nuclear power plants in France has been completed and new reactors are being commissioned in China, India, Korea and Europe, among others. Nuclear energy accounts for almost ten percent of global electricity generation and is the second largest source of low-emission electricity after hydropower.
However, the expansion of nuclear power relies heavily on Chinese and Russian technology and resources such as uranium, which entails the risk of future dependencies, the IEA stated. China is growing considerably, while traditional nuclear power countries such as the USA and France are struggling with delays and cost increases in the modernization of their nuclear power plants.
Even if nuclear power is traditionally based on state financing, private investors are also needed for a rapid expansion of nuclear energy, the IEA explained. A rapid expansion would mean that investments in nuclear power would have to double worldwide to around 117 billion euros by 2030.
