World outlook for nuclear power

The Fukushima Daiichi accident of March 2011 has re-ignited the debate about the role of nuclear power in the future global energy mix. More than one and a half years after the accident, a somewhat clearer picture is emerging – different countries responded with different nuclear policies, e.g., one size does not fit all. While several countries confirmed or decided to phase-out the use of the technology or to cancel their plans of adding nuclear power to their future electricity generating mix, the majority of countries with operating nuclear power plants or plans to eventually start national nuclear power programmes continue with the implementation of their pre-Fukushima nuclear strategies albeit at a somewhat slower pace. Projections of future nuclear capacity expansion for the year 2030 show a likely shift of global nuclear generating capacities by about a decade but no significant retraction of national nuclear power programmes globally.

► The Fukushima Daiichi accident will delay nuclear capacity expansion globally but will not reverse it. ► Different countries had different policy responses after the accident. ► The momentum of nuclear power expansion has already shifted to the fast growing Asian economies well before Fukushima. ► The momentum of nuclear power expansion is expected to remain concentrated there. ► The number of countries with operating nuclear power plants is expected to increase by 15% in 2030.