Does nuclear energy have a future?

If the world is to achieve net-zero by 2050

Photo by Dan Meyers on Unsplash

Renewable energy sources like wind and solar are relatively carbon free and pose no real danger to the population or the environment. Nuclear energy is relatively cheap and more reliable. Also, carbon free, but the waste that it produces can remain dangerous for years. It is not, however, dependent on whether the sun shines or the wind blows.

If the world is to achieve net-zero by 2050, renewables alone will not achieve it. Nuclear energy has to be part of the mix. So what is the current state of nuclear power generation?

The first nuclear power plant was commissioned in the 1950s, and the industry has grown significantly to over 440 operating worldwide today. They provide around 10% of global electricity supply. There are currently 65 reactors are being built, with 90 more being planned, with the majority of these in Asia. In the United States, nuclear power plants generate 20% of the country’s electricity. The UK are planning to increase their nuclear generation from 6 gigawatts to 24 gigawatts by 2050.

There are several different types of reactor depending on the coolant. All of them depend on nuclear fission, to heat water and generate steam to drive turbines

Pressurised water reactors