The global commitment of many nations to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 places nuclear energy on par with gas generation, facilitating the transition from more harmful energy sources to environmentally friendly and renewable ones.
Although nuclear energy emerged nearly 70 years ago, its share of global electricity production, which peaked at 17.5% in 1995, has since followed a downward trend. In contrast, natural gas and renewable energy sources (wind and solar) have achieved significant growth, increasing from 15% and 20% in 1995 to 23% and 31%, respectively, by 2023.
Until 2016, Europe dominated the nuclear energy market, producing 36% of the world's nuclear power. Currently, Europe ranks third with a 27% share, behind North America (34%) and the Asia-Pacific region (29%). In Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East, nuclear energy consumption remains minimal, collectively accounting for only 2.5%.
According to international experts, debates surrounding nuclear energy will persist, reflecting regional differences. As the energy transition advances, nuclear power is likely to remain lagging (compared to other energy sources) despite its reliability and "green" potential.
The Asia-Pacific region is currently leading nuclear energy development, accounting for 64% of all nuclear reactors under construction globally. China spearheads this expansion. Although nuclear energy currently constitutes 5% of the country's total electricity generation, Beijing aims to raise this figure to 10% by 2035 and 18% by 2060, significantly boosting global nuclear energy utilization.
In 2023, China generated approximately 435 terawatt-hours (TWh) of nuclear power, second only to the United States (817 TWh or 18% of the national energy mix). France, Europe's largest nuclear energy producer and the world's leading net electricity exporter, generates about 338 TWh annually from nuclear power plants, representing over 65% of the country's energy balance.
South Korea, the second-largest consumer of nuclear energy in the Asia-Pacific region, produces 180 TWh (29% of its energy mix) and aims to ensure a minimum 30% share for nuclear power by 2030.
The March 2011 accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant radically altered Japan's energy landscape. By May 2012, all 54 of the country's commercial nuclear reactors, which previously supplied around 30% of its electricity, had been shut down. This led Japan to increase its reliance on imported fossil fuels, heightening its energy security vulnerability. Recently, Japan has been gradually resuming nuclear energy use, targeting a 20% share in electricity production by 2030, up from the current 8%.
India is positioning itself as a key player in nuclear energy in the region, aiming to increase its nuclear capacity by 70% by 2029, compared to the current 48 TWh (2% of its energy mix).
Beyond the Asia-Pacific, Europe has set ambitious nuclear energy goals. In January 2024, the United Kingdom announced plans to quadruple its nuclear power output by 2050. In July of the same year, the Czech Republic selected South Korea to build at least two new nuclear power units, with an option for four more, enhancing its existing fleet of six reactors, which currently generate about a third of the nation's electricity. Poland plans to begin constructing its first nuclear power plant in 2026.
France aims to build at least six new reactors, partly to replace aging facilities. In 2023, the French government abandoned a 2014 target to reduce nuclear energy's share to 50% by 2025.
In the Middle East, countries such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia are seeking to join the UAE and Iran as nuclear energy producers, primarily to free up more hydrocarbons for export while meeting rapidly growing domestic energy demands.
In contrast, no new reactors are under construction in North America. The U.S. government is focused on extending the operational life of existing reactors, which typically receive 40-year licenses that can be renewed for two additional 20-year periods, allowing for a total lifespan of 80 years.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), extending the life of existing nuclear power plants is highly competitive and remains the cheapest low-carbon generation option compared to building entirely new plants, whether nuclear or conventional. Expanding the use of nuclear energy is an essential and cost-effective strategy for achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Nuclear power plants require substantial upfront capital investments and have lengthy construction timelines, averaging about eight years compared to two to four years for gas and coal power plants, respectively.
Additionally, nuclear projects often face cost overruns and construction delays. Strict regulations for safe operation, decommissioning, and waste management add to these delays and cost increases.
According to IEA analysts, developed economies where nuclear investments have stagnated and budgets and timelines for recent projects often balloon have lost momentum and leadership in the market. Between 2017 and 2022, only four of 31 new reactors under construction were of non-Russian or non-Chinese design.
Russia remains at the forefront of the nuclear market as the world's largest exporter of nuclear reactors and the leading supplier of enriched uranium. Rosatom holds a dominant global position with a portfolio of reactor construction orders comprising 39 power units across 10 countries. Rosatom also possesses a full range of nuclear fuel cycle technologies, from uranium mining to decommissioning nuclear facilities.
Despite nuclear energy's use in 32 countries, the market remains highly concentrated: the U.S., China, and France account for 58% of global nuclear generation, while the top ten countries contribute 84%.
Two-thirds of global uranium production comes from Kazakhstan, Canada, and Australia.
However, the war in Ukraine poses a significant challenge to Russia's continued dominance in the sector, with broader implications for the global expansion of nuclear energy. In May 2024, Washington imposed a ban on importing enriched uranium from Russia.
In Turkey, the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, initially scheduled for completion in 2028, is already facing construction delays. Similarly, Egypt's $30 billion El-Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant has encountered logistical issues, with its original 2022 completion date long overdue.
According to the IEA, to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, global nuclear energy capacity must more than double. However, considering geopolitical trends and growing competition from alternative energy sources, particularly renewables, this ambitious goal appears increasingly elusive.
Proponents of nuclear energy argue that advancements in nuclear technologies, especially the development of small modular reactors (SMRs), promise to enhance safety, efficiency, and waste management. Furthermore, nuclear fusion offers the potential for an almost unlimited and clean energy source. However, SMRs remain largely conceptual, and nuclear fusion is still in the experimental stage. The economic viability and competitiveness of these technologies will only be proven when deployed at scale. At present, reliable data on their commercial feasibility is scarce, making it difficult to accurately predict their potential contribution.
Although nuclear energy emerged nearly 70 years ago, its share of global electricity production, which peaked at 17.5% in 1995, has since followed a downward trend. In contrast, natural gas and renewable energy sources (wind and solar) have achieved significant growth, increasing from 15% and 20% in 1995 to 23% and 31%, respectively, by 2023.
Until 2016, Europe dominated the nuclear energy market, producing 36% of the world's nuclear power. Currently, Europe ranks third with a 27% share, behind North America (34%) and the Asia-Pacific region (29%). In Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East, nuclear energy consumption remains minimal, collectively accounting for only 2.5%.
According to international experts, debates surrounding nuclear energy will persist, reflecting regional differences. As the energy transition advances, nuclear power is likely to remain lagging (compared to other energy sources) despite its reliability and "green" potential.
The Asia-Pacific region is currently leading nuclear energy development, accounting for 64% of all nuclear reactors under construction globally. China spearheads this expansion. Although nuclear energy currently constitutes 5% of the country's total electricity generation, Beijing aims to raise this figure to 10% by 2035 and 18% by 2060, significantly boosting global nuclear energy utilization.
In 2023, China generated approximately 435 terawatt-hours (TWh) of nuclear power, second only to the United States (817 TWh or 18% of the national energy mix). France, Europe's largest nuclear energy producer and the world's leading net electricity exporter, generates about 338 TWh annually from nuclear power plants, representing over 65% of the country's energy balance.
South Korea, the second-largest consumer of nuclear energy in the Asia-Pacific region, produces 180 TWh (29% of its energy mix) and aims to ensure a minimum 30% share for nuclear power by 2030.
The March 2011 accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant radically altered Japan's energy landscape. By May 2012, all 54 of the country's commercial nuclear reactors, which previously supplied around 30% of its electricity, had been shut down. This led Japan to increase its reliance on imported fossil fuels, heightening its energy security vulnerability. Recently, Japan has been gradually resuming nuclear energy use, targeting a 20% share in electricity production by 2030, up from the current 8%.
India is positioning itself as a key player in nuclear energy in the region, aiming to increase its nuclear capacity by 70% by 2029, compared to the current 48 TWh (2% of its energy mix).
Beyond the Asia-Pacific, Europe has set ambitious nuclear energy goals. In January 2024, the United Kingdom announced plans to quadruple its nuclear power output by 2050. In July of the same year, the Czech Republic selected South Korea to build at least two new nuclear power units, with an option for four more, enhancing its existing fleet of six reactors, which currently generate about a third of the nation's electricity. Poland plans to begin constructing its first nuclear power plant in 2026.
France aims to build at least six new reactors, partly to replace aging facilities. In 2023, the French government abandoned a 2014 target to reduce nuclear energy's share to 50% by 2025.
In the Middle East, countries such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia are seeking to join the UAE and Iran as nuclear energy producers, primarily to free up more hydrocarbons for export while meeting rapidly growing domestic energy demands.
In contrast, no new reactors are under construction in North America. The U.S. government is focused on extending the operational life of existing reactors, which typically receive 40-year licenses that can be renewed for two additional 20-year periods, allowing for a total lifespan of 80 years.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), extending the life of existing nuclear power plants is highly competitive and remains the cheapest low-carbon generation option compared to building entirely new plants, whether nuclear or conventional. Expanding the use of nuclear energy is an essential and cost-effective strategy for achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Nuclear power plants require substantial upfront capital investments and have lengthy construction timelines, averaging about eight years compared to two to four years for gas and coal power plants, respectively.
Additionally, nuclear projects often face cost overruns and construction delays. Strict regulations for safe operation, decommissioning, and waste management add to these delays and cost increases.
According to IEA analysts, developed economies where nuclear investments have stagnated and budgets and timelines for recent projects often balloon have lost momentum and leadership in the market. Between 2017 and 2022, only four of 31 new reactors under construction were of non-Russian or non-Chinese design.
Russia remains at the forefront of the nuclear market as the world's largest exporter of nuclear reactors and the leading supplier of enriched uranium. Rosatom holds a dominant global position with a portfolio of reactor construction orders comprising 39 power units across 10 countries. Rosatom also possesses a full range of nuclear fuel cycle technologies, from uranium mining to decommissioning nuclear facilities.
Despite nuclear energy's use in 32 countries, the market remains highly concentrated: the U.S., China, and France account for 58% of global nuclear generation, while the top ten countries contribute 84%.
Two-thirds of global uranium production comes from Kazakhstan, Canada, and Australia.
However, the war in Ukraine poses a significant challenge to Russia's continued dominance in the sector, with broader implications for the global expansion of nuclear energy. In May 2024, Washington imposed a ban on importing enriched uranium from Russia.
In Turkey, the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, initially scheduled for completion in 2028, is already facing construction delays. Similarly, Egypt's $30 billion El-Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant has encountered logistical issues, with its original 2022 completion date long overdue.
According to the IEA, to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, global nuclear energy capacity must more than double. However, considering geopolitical trends and growing competition from alternative energy sources, particularly renewables, this ambitious goal appears increasingly elusive.
Proponents of nuclear energy argue that advancements in nuclear technologies, especially the development of small modular reactors (SMRs), promise to enhance safety, efficiency, and waste management. Furthermore, nuclear fusion offers the potential for an almost unlimited and clean energy source. However, SMRs remain largely conceptual, and nuclear fusion is still in the experimental stage. The economic viability and competitiveness of these technologies will only be proven when deployed at scale. At present, reliable data on their commercial feasibility is scarce, making it difficult to accurately predict their potential contribution.