Paul Brown, of Climate News, reports that ten new nuclear reactors came on line last year worldwide and more new reactors are being built than at any time since 1990. According to the report by the World Nuclear Association (WNA), there were 66 power reactors under construction across the world last year and another 158 planned. Of those being built, 24 are in mainland China.
In what it promises will be an annual update of the industry progress, the WNA presents a rosy picture of the future of the industry, which it hopes will produce ever-increasing amounts of the world power. Currently, the industry provides 10% of the world electricity, but its target is to supply 25% by 2050, requiring a massive new build program. The plan is to open 10 new reactors a year until 2020, another 25 a year to 2030 and more than 30 a year until 2050.
The brightest prospect is China, where nuclear power is shielded from market forces. Eight new reactors were connected to the grid in 2015, with many more scheduled for construction as part of China bid to phase out coal and improve air quality.
The largest nuclear power exporter is Russia and President Putin is offering countries generous terms, including providing the fuel for the reactors and then taking the waste back to Russia. This plan, which ties countries into close partnerships with Russia, could be seen to pose political dangers for the countries concerned, giving Russia direct control over their energy supplies.
Many countries have chosen to ignore this potential problem. As a result, Russia national nuclear industry is currently committed to building new reactors in China, Hungary, India and Turkey and is engaged with potential buyers in Jordan, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, South Africa and Vietnam, among others.
South Korea and India are also quoted in the WNA report as boosting nuclear power with new commitments in 2015.
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