Nuclear-generated electricity will reach a record high in 2025, accounting for just under 10% of the global electricity supply, according to a new report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) published on Thursday 16 January.
The agency reveals that more than 70 gigawatts of new nuclear capacity is under construction worldwide, one of the highest levels for 30 years. Total generation is expected to reach 2,900 TWh in 2025, compared with 2,742 TWh in 2023 and 2,843 TWh in 2024.
IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol welcomed the fact that the world was entering “a new era for nuclear energy”, after years of mistrust following the Fukushima accident in 2011.
This recovery is being driven by China, which is changing the global map for nuclear, led since 1970 by the United States and Europe.
According to the report, 35% of the electricity produced in Europe came from nuclear power in the 1990s, compared with less than 25% today.
According to Mr Birol, China will overtake Europe and the United States in five years’ time and is “on course” to become the world’s leading nuclear power.
However, he welcomed the willingness of 40 countries to expand the role of nuclear power in their respective energy systems and highlighted the potential of small modular reactors (SMRs).
He nevertheless acknowledged the challenges of delivering on time and on budget, as well as the risk factor posed by the highly concentrated markets for nuclear technology, uranium production and enrichment, driven by Russia.
To see the report: https://aeur.eu/f/f30 (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)