While the Chernobyl and Fukushima incidents had dampened enthusiasm for nuclear energy for years, today the tide is changing rapidly.
Geopolitical tensions, the need for reliable electricity for industry and artificial intelligence, and the fight against climate change are pushing many countries to reconsider their energy strategies.
A strong return of nuclear power now seems inevitable, both in the Americas, Europe, and Asia, supported by reasons of energy security, independence, and low carbon emissions.
A recent in-depth report by the Associated Press takes stock of the global situation, highlighting where nuclear power is advancing and where there are still hesitations or outright closures.
A change of course
Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), has long been convinced that there would be a nuclear revival. After the outbreak of war in the Middle East, he stated bluntly: “I am 100% sure that nuclear is coming back.”
According to Birol, nuclear is seen as a safe electricity generation system and its return will be “very strong” worldwide.
Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), added that the current momentum stems from the growing awareness that reliable and low-emission electricity is needed to meet the rising global energy demand.
United States: the giant aiming to quadruple capacity
The United States remains the largest producer of nuclear energy in the world, with 94 operational reactors generating about 30% of global nuclear electricity.
The government is also accelerating efforts to develop new capacity, with the ambitious goal of quadrupling it by 2050.
Thomas DiNanno, Trump’s Under Secretary of State, emphasized that “the world cannot power its industries, meet the demands of artificial intelligence, or secure its energy future without nuclear.”
China: the race to become the world leader
China already operates 61 nuclear reactors and is leading the world in building new plants, with nearly 40 units under construction.
Its declared goal is to surpass the United States and become the leading global producer of nuclear energy.
Europe: “strategic mistake” and attempts at recovery
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, openly admitted that it was a “strategic mistake” for Europe to abandon nuclear energy.
In 1990, nuclear covered about one-third of Europe’s electricity; today it has dropped to around 15%. This reduction has increased dependence on imported fossil fuels, putting the continent at a disadvantage, especially after the war in Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East.
The European Commission now considers nuclear part of clean energy, alongside wind and solar, to achieve climate goals.
It is also evaluating the development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), small modular reactors expected to come online in the early 2030s: cheaper, faster to build, and more flexible than traditional reactors.
France: European champion
France remains the most nuclear country in Europe. With 57 reactors in 19 plants, it produces nearly 70% of its electricity from nuclear power. Governments of all colors have always supported this source as a pillar of national energy independence.
In 2022, President Emmanuel Macron announced the construction of six new pressurized water reactors, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate the energy transition.
Nicolas Goldberg of Colombus Consulting explained that the Covid-19 pandemic and the gas crisis caused by the war in Ukraine highlighted the limits of renewables and Europe’s dependence on gas, strengthening France’s strategy to maintain and extend the life of existing nuclear plants.
Germany: irreversible closure and regrets
Unlike France, Germany shut down its last three nuclear reactors in 2023, completing a path started decades ago under governments of different political orientations. Anti-nuclear protests, fueled by past incidents, pushed the country to abandon a technology considered unsafe and unsustainable.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz admitted to regretting the decision but called it “irreversible,” because plant operators responded that dismantling work is already too advanced.
Although his center-right coalition talks about possible future generations of small modular reactors, a true comeback still seems far away.
Other European countries
Within the European Union, positions remain fragmented. Sweden and Finland have led the pro-nuclear front. Belgium made a significant turnaround last year, repealing the law that mandated reactor closures and extending their operational life.
Conversely, Spain plans to shut down its seven reactors between 2027 and 2035. Austria and Italy have instead banned the use of nuclear power.
Russia: domestic and exporting nuclear power
Russia has 34 operational reactors, including eight RBMK types (the same as Chernobyl), which account for about a quarter of national nuclear production. These reactors have been deeply modernized with added safety measures to correct design flaws that contributed to the 1986 disaster.
Moscow is aggressively expanding its capacity both at home, with new units in Kursk, Leningrad, Smolensk, a plant in the Far East, and floating nuclear units, and abroad.
Russia has already built 20 reactors in various countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, and has signed contracts for others. It built the first reactor for neighboring Belarus, despite part of Belarusian territory still being contaminated by Chernobyl fallout.
Japan and the rest of the world
Japan has restarted 15 reactors after analyzing the lessons from the earthquake and tsunami that damaged Fukushima in 2011. Another 10 are under approval for restart.
In Africa, South Africa has the continent’s only nuclear plant. Russia is building a plant in Egypt, and several other African countries are exploring the technology.
In Ukraine
The Chernobyl incident occurred on April 26, 1986, when reactor number 4 exploded while Ukraine was still part of the Soviet Union. The contamination affected vast areas and spread radiation throughout Europe.
Today Ukraine depends on nuclear power for about half of its electricity. After the Russian invasion in 2022, Ukrainian nuclear plants have taken on an even more critical role.
