Acasă » Electricity » IEA: Nuclear energy to make a comeback globally

IEA: Nuclear energy to make a comeback globally

17 January 2025
Electricity
energynomics

Nuclear energy is set to make a comeback globally, amid rising demand for electricity, according to a report published by the International Energy Agency (IEA), DPA reports.

 

Interest in nuclear power is higher than it was during the oil crisis of the 1970s, with more than 40 countries looking to expand their nuclear power capacity, the Paris-based organization said, according to Agerpres.

The increase in electricity demand is not only coming from traditional sectors such as industry, but also from new areas such as electric cars, data centers and powering artificial intelligence.

According to the IEA, electricity generation from the global fleet of almost 420 reactors will reach a new peak this year.

“It is clear today that a strong comeback for nuclear power, predicted by the IEA several years ago, is underway, with nuclear power capacity set to generate a record level of electricity this year,” said IEA Director General Fatih Birol.

“In addition, more than 70 gigawatts (GW) of new nuclear power capacity is under construction worldwide, one of the highest levels in 30 years, and more than 40 countries are planning to expand the role of nuclear power in their energy systems,” the IEA chief added.

Birol particularly highlighted small modular reactors (SMRs), which offer “exciting growth potential.”

Nuclear power accounts for almost 10% of global electricity generation and is the second largest source of low-emission electricity after hydroelectricity.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *