Nuclear energy gains new momentum
The world as a whole is belatedly waking up to the importance of nuclear power in the overall energy mix. After more than two decades of stagnation, the capacity of the global nuclear fleet is expected to increase by one-third by 2035.
That’s the projection of the latest World Energy Outlook from the International Energy Agency (IEA) based on existing energy policies and the expectation of “a record high in nuclear power output” in 2025.
"Technology advances… are improving the outlook for nuclear power,” says the report. “As demand surges and the need for reliable, low-emission baseload electricity increases, nuclear is increasingly seen as a critical part of a secure, affordable and diverse electricity mix."
It’s a welcome reversal in fortune for the nuclear industry, which had “suffered some decline and stagnation” from the late 1970s to early 2000s, although its share of world electricity generation remained at 16-17 per cent.
Now, with the very public support for nuclear by the current US administration, the French government’s new multiyear energy programme (PPE) putting renewed focus on nuclear, and other countries looking into it, the nuclear industry appears to be gaining momentum. This point was not lost on the international visitors, delegates and exhibitors who attended the 2025 edition of the World Nuclear Exhibition (WNE) in record numbers and contributed to the buzz in the exhibition hall and conference rooms.
The world as a whole is belatedly waking up to the importance of nuclear power in the overall energy mix. After more than two decades of stagnation, the capacity of the global nuclear fleet is expected to increase by one-third by 2035.
That’s the projection of the latest World Energy Outlook from the International Energy Agency (IEA) based on existing energy policies and the expectation of “a record high in nuclear power output” in 2025.
"Technology advances… are improving the outlook for nuclear power,” says the report. “As demand surges and the need for reliable, low-emission baseload electricity increases, nuclear is increasingly seen as a critical part of a secure, affordable and diverse electricity mix."
It’s a welcome reversal in fortune for the nuclear industry, which had “suffered some decline and stagnation” from the late 1970s to early 2000s, although its share of world electricity generation remained at 16-17 per cent.
Now, with the very public support for nuclear by the current US administration, the French government’s new multiyear energy programme (PPE) putting renewed focus on nuclear, and other countries looking into it, the nuclear industry appears to be gaining momentum. This point was not lost on the international visitors, delegates and exhibitors who attended the 2025 edition of the World Nuclear Exhibition (WNE) in record numbers and contributed to the buzz in the exhibition hall and conference rooms.
WNE 2023_© Collectif Favart
Sentiment increasingly favourable
With countries across Asia and Africa closely studying their options for meeting the expected surge in demand for clean energy, sentiment is increasingly favourable to nuclear as a crucial ingredient in a renewable, low-carbon energy mix. Even Australia is looking anew at nuclear energy with proposals before its law-makers to lift a ban on uranium mining and nuclear developments.
As the World Nuclear Association (WNA) points out, this nuclear power revival is driven by three key factors. Foremost is the dawning realisation of the scale of the projected increase in demand for electricity worldwide, particularly in rapidly-developing countries. The importance of energy security is a second factor, while the third is the need to limit carbon emissions to limit climate change.
Big tech companies have jumped on the nuclear bandwagon as they face up to the fact that the demands of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing threaten to outstrip the capacity of their energy-hungry data centres. These giants of the digital age are placing ‘multibillion-dollar bets’ on nuclear: it aligns with their operational and environmental priorities, and its economics are appealing. Upfront costs may be steep, but predictable lifespans and costs of nuclear power plants offer a stability that’s seen as a game-changer.
Key player in clean energy transition
Projections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) suggest global nuclear power capacity could double by 2050 and make nuclear a key player in the transition to clean energy. Data from its latest Power Reactor Information System (PRIS) report shows there are currently 63 reactors under construction, while in 2024-25, new nuclear units in countries including China, France, India, the United Arab Emirates, and the USA were connected to the grid, reflecting global momentum in deploying advanced nuclear technologies.
Further, its data underlines the growth worldwide of nuclear power. Egypt is building four reactors; Bangladesh is building two; India has six more reactors under construction; Türkiye has four under way; Ukraine has two; and Russia is building five more.
These figures, the IAEA suggests, show the importance attached to nuclear energy to meet growing electricity needs, reduce emissions and further climate goals.
Real challenge is replacing coal
The real challenge remains replacing coal, says Sama Bilbao y León, head of the WNA. With coal-fired power generation representing about 33 per cent of global output, the most pressing question is whether nuclear developers can scale quickly enough to capture the market.
She writes: “As the world decarbonises, drives economic development, and works to connect nearly a billion people who still lack access to regular electricity, global demand for reliable clean power will rise dramatically. Energy-intensive industries share data centres’ baseload requirements. Nuclear can power microchip manufacturing, petrochemical production, healthcare facilities, and desalination plants.
At the WNE 2023 conference, Emilie Sauchay, HR Manager of Ineo Nucléaire, discussed their strategic workforce planning for 2022 and 2023. She noted the recruitment of skilled workers as a significant factor but emphasised the necessity of making training programs available for professionals outside of the industry.
“For me, the most important one is to be able to train people in our professions, to be able to attract employees who are not currently in the sector but who would like to join this dynamic sector,” Emilie Sauchay stated. She also added that to support the growth of their workforce, Ineo Nucléaire developed training academies and a network of training centres.
“Deployment strategies are diversifying to meet this moment. Small modular reactors (SMRs) are generating considerable interest for their potential to serve smaller grids and industrial applications.”
Canada, for example, is moving ahead with its first SMR builds at its Darlington New Nuclear Project site in Ontario, demonstrating that newer designs can complement traditional large-scale plants. This would be the first commercial SMR in any G7 country. Eventually the site would have four 300MW units.
China leads world on SMR operations
China is ahead of the curve on SMRs. Reuters reported that China’s first SMR was expected to start commercial operation in the first half of this year. The USA is not far behind, with its Department of Energy looking to develop the technology by the 2030s and committing $800 million in development funding.
These efforts are overshadowed by China, says the WNA, which is planning more than 100 further large units which enjoy support from both policy-makers and the public. Many of these are the latest Western designs, or adaptations of them. Others are substantially local designs.
In this era of renewed growth, adds the WNA, it is worth noting that over the last 70 years, more than 17,000 reactor-years of nuclear power plant operation have been accumulated – a not-insignificant platform of industrial knowledge and expertise which will once again be on display when WNE returns to Villepinte Exhibition Centre in Paris on 7-9 December 2027.