In spite of a reduction in nuclear power generation in Europe following the Fukushima Daiichi crisis, the International Atomic Energy Agency still expects use of the technology to expand dramatically in the next 20 years.
Reuters reported Friday that a not-yet-published IAEA report obtained by the news agency predicts nuclear energy use will grow by 35 percent to 100 percent by 2030. That represents a 7-8 percent decline from its prediction made in 2010.
Countries the world over began reassessing their nuclear safety measures after the Fukushima Daiichi accident in Japan a year ago. China put a temporary moratorium on new nuclear plant construction permits while it reviewed plant safety. A referendum in June killed a proposal to build 6,400 megawatts of new nuclear generation in Italy in partnership with EDF. Switzerland and Belgium decided to decommission their plants. While Germany took several older reactors out of service immediately after the Fukushima accident and has moved to decommission the rest.
Including the damaged units at Fukushima, 13 power reactors were shut down permanently last year, while only three – in India and Pakistan – began construction. Nonetheless, the IAEA report suggests robust growth in nuclear power will continue, driven largely by China, India and Russia. At the end of last year, 64 reactors were under construction, according to the report. Most are in Asia, with more than two dozen in China where officials have suggested the permitting moratorium will likely end this year.