The nuclear industry in China has seen a decline in the share of electricity generation for four consecutive years, dropping from a peak of 5.0 percent in 2021. Despite China being a significant growth market for nuclear power, with a net increase of around 50 reactors over the past two decades, the global trend is moving away from nuclear energy.
Generation of power from nuclear sources has been stagnant, with no new small modular reactors or ‘Generation IV’ reactors being constructed. China is leading the way in reactor construction, with 36 reactors currently under construction out of a global total of 66. In contrast, there are no new power reactors being built in North and South America, with only one construction project in the European Union.
Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind are gaining traction in the EU, accounting for 30 percent of electricity generation, surpassing fossil fuels. Nuclear power now only contributes 23.4 percent of EU electricity generation, highlighting the shift towards cleaner energy sources.
The nuclear industry is facing challenges globally, with only Chinese and Russian companies undertaking new reactor construction projects. The majority of reactors under construction are in nuclear-weapon states, raising concerns about the potential for nuclear accidents or attacks on nuclear facilities.
Recent events, such as the drone attack on the Chernobyl reactor and military strikes on nuclear power plant substations in Ukraine, have highlighted the vulnerability of nuclear facilities in times of conflict. The International Atomic Energy Agency has warned of the fragile and volatile condition of Europe’s largest nuclear facility, Zaporizhzhia.
Despite projections by the World Nuclear Association of a significant increase in global nuclear power capacity by 2050, there are challenges in achieving this growth. The industry will need unprecedented construction rates, policy reforms, and significant investments to meet these targets.
In contrast, renewable energy sources are surpassing coal as the largest source of electricity generation globally. The International Energy Agency predicts a doubling of renewable capacity by 2030, outpacing nuclear power generation significantly.
As the nuclear industry faces stagnation and challenges, renewables are set to out-generate nuclear power by a factor of five to seven by the end of the decade. The shift towards cleaner energy sources is evident, with renewables becoming the dominant source of electricity generation globally.
Dr. Jim Green, the national nuclear campaigner with Friends of the Earth Australia and a member of the Nuclear Consulting Group, emphasizes the need for a transition towards renewable energy sources as a more sustainable and secure option for the future.
