Nuclear Energy
energyenvironmenttechnologypolicysafety
Get to the Point
Countries should significantly expand nuclear power to meet climate and energy-security goals.
Summary
Supporters say nuclear’s low lifecycle emissions, high capacity factor, and fuel security make it a crucial complement to renewables for deep decarbonization. Critics counter that large up-front costs, construction delays, accident legacies, and unresolved political hurdles on waste and proliferation make other clean options faster and less risky. The policy question is whether cost and governance challenges can be solved quickly enough for nuclear to play a major role this decade.
Historical Context
Commercial nuclear power grew rapidly from the 1960s, slowed after major accidents and cost overruns, and has re-entered climate debates as countries seek firm low-carbon power. Recent interest includes life-extensions, new builds, and advanced reactors/SMRs, alongside parallel pushes for renewables, storage, and efficiency. International bodies (IPCC, IEA, IAEA) frame nuclear’s potential alongside persistent challenges in cost, timelines, waste, and safeguards.
