By S Vicknesan, 360info

Navigating expanded nuclear power generation will require stronger and better safeguards while making sensible use of new technologies.

As the world counts down to a net zero future by 2050, nuclear energy is being touted as a potentially promising alternative to fossil fuels in achieving this target.

Nuclear power shows promise as a ‘green’ way to establish energy security while providing a reliable and scalable source of baseload power.

It now provides about 10 percent of the world's electricity from about 436 reactors in 32 countries and is the world's second-largest source of low-carbon power (26 percent of the total in 2020).

Compared to fossil fuels and renewable energy (solar and wind power), nuclear generation for electricity has hardly expanded in the past 25 years (see chart above) highlighting its potential as a catalyst for energy transition towards the 2050 goal of net-zero carbon emissions.

In its latest report, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) revised upwards its growth projections for nuclear power worldwide. It now sees a quarter more nuclear energy capacity installed by 2050 than it did as recently as 2020.

This emphasises the increasing number of countries that are looking to this energy option to address both climate change and domestic consumption needs.

The Nuclear Power Debate Ahead

In the Indo-Pacific region, where energy demand is rapidly growing, nuclear power presents both challenges and opportunities. Countries in Asia that have already adopted nuclear power include Bangladesh, China, India, South Korea and Pakistan.

In Australia, the debate on whether to adopt nuclear power centres around whether it will be a silver bullet or a white elephant in reducing carbon emissions.

“While nuclear power might experience a resurgence globally and eventually have a role in Australia, right now, no matter how much intent there might be to activate a nuclear power industry, it is difficult to envision before the mid-2040s. 

“The reality is there is no substitute for solar and wind power this decade and next, supported by batteries, transmission lines and peaking gas generation,” says Alan Finkel of the University of Queensland.

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