40 Years After the Chernobyl Disaster, More Countries Are Turning To Nuclear Power

Source: Slashdot

Overview

The 1986 Chernobyl disaster fueled global fears about nuclear power and slowed its development in Europe and elsewhere. Four decades later, a revival is underway worldwide, a trend that has been given a big boost by the war in the Middle East. Over 400 nuclear reactors are operational in 31 countries, with about 70 more under construction. Nuclear power now accounts for roughly 10 % of the world’s electricity, equivalent to about a quarter of all low‑carbon power sources.

Nuclear reactors have seen steady improvements, adding more safety features and becoming cheaper to build and operate. While Chernobyl and the 2011 Fukushima disaster in Japan dampened enthusiasm for nuclear energy, the International Energy Agency’s executive director Fatih Birol said a revival was expected years ago. “With the war in the Middle East, I am 100 % sure nuclear is coming back,” he added.

Global Nuclear Landscape

• United States – The world’s largest producer of nuclear power, with 94 operational reactors that generate about 30 % of global nuclear electricity. The U.S. aims to quadruple its nuclear capacity by 2050.
• China – Operates 61 reactors and leads the world in building new units, with nearly 40 under construction. China’s goal is to surpass the U.S. and become the global leader in nuclear capacity.
• Europe – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called Europe’s previous decision to cut nuclear energy a “strategic mistake” and announced new initiatives to encourage plant construction. In 1990, nuclear energy supplied roughly a third of Europe’s electricity; today it provides about 15 %.
• Russia – Has become a major exporter of nuclear technology, building 20 reactors worldwide.
• Japan – Has restarted 15 reactors after reviewing lessons from the Fukushima earthquake and tsunami, with 10 more seeking approval to restart.
• South Africa – Hosts the only nuclear power plant on the African continent, while Russia is building a plant in Egypt and several other African nations are exploring nuclear technology.
• France – Operates 57 reactors at 19 sites, supplying nearly 70 % of its electricity.
• Ukraine – Despite being the site of the Chernobyl accident, Ukraine still relies heavily on nuclear plants, generating about half of its electricity.
• Germany – Shut down its last three nuclear reactors in 2023.

Growth Trends

An interactive graphic (referenced in the original report) shows that global nuclear capacity slowed shortly after the 1986 Chernobyl incident but has since increased by roughly 50 % overall, with growth distributed across the countries listed above.