Although the number of power reactors worldwide is expected to grow significantly, the International Atomic Energy Agency predicts rapid development in all forms of power generation will shrink nuclear’s share in the coming decades.
On Tuesday the IAEA released projections that indicate the proportion of total electrical generation from reactors will, at best, stay the same at 13.5 percent or fall to as low as 6.2 percent of all generation in 2050.
The IAEA’s predicted 2050 nuclear market share fell from last year’s forecast of between 7.1 percent and 17 percent of total generation. That said, Reuters quoted IAEA officials who emphasized that the use of nuclear power is expected to grow. But it may not keep up with other technologies as electrical generation is expected to triple in the next four decades.
Recently, the IAEA also projected the number of power reactors worldwide – currently at 432 units – is expected to increase by between 90 and 350 units in the next 20 years.