Patel reported in 2019 that in 2018 five of the world’s 449 operable nuclear reactors reached 50 years of operation for the first time, four first-of-their kind reactor designs were brought online, and while the industry showed capacity factor impacts from load-following, the global nuclear fleet performed at an average capacity factor of about 80%, says a new report from the World Nuclear Association (WNA).
The world’s reactors—a total 397 GWe—produced 2,563 TWh. That’s more than 10% of global electricity demand, and 61 TWh more than in 2017, which means the world’s nuclear generation grew for for the sixth successive year, the Aug. 29-released World Nuclear Performance Report says.
The news is bright for the sector that has been concerned about its future role in a renewables-heavy world. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) last year said that nuclear power’s share of the world’s power generating mix could shrink dramatically from 10% in 2017 to just 5.6% in 2050 as the industry struggles with “reduced competitiveness.” In advanced economies, it noted, ongoing financial uncertainty and regulatory factors were shuttering aging plants, and declining electricity consumption presented challenges for new reactor construction, which are capital intensive projects.
However, several prominent global organizations, including the IAEA, the WNA, and the International Energy Agency (IEA), note that nuclear has been the biggest low-carbon source of power for more than 30 years. “A sharp decline in nuclear power capacity in advanced economies would have major implications. Without additional lifetime extensions and new builds, achieving key sustainable energy goals, including international climate targets, would become more difficult and expensive,” the IEA said in May, as it released its first report addressing nuclear power in nearly two decades to help bring the topic back into the global energy debate.
The WNA, an international organization that represents the global nuclear industry, keeps track of global nuclear activities in a rich fact-based website, information it says is important to contribute to the energy debate, “as well as pave the way for expanding the nuclear business.” Like its website, the annual report provides a detailed fact-based overview of reactor news from around the world.
Read the rest of the article on-line for the key insights from the report.
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