Nuclear energy is having a global revival 40 years after Chernobyl

Key Points:

• Four decades after the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, nuclear power is experiencing a global revival, driven by improvements in safety, cost-effectiveness, and geopolitical factors such as the war in the Middle East.
• Over 400 nuclear reactors operate in 31 countries, providing about 10% of the world's electricity and roughly a quarter of low-carbon power, with around 70 reactors under construction worldwide.
• The United States leads in nuclear power production with 94 reactors and aims to quadruple capacity by 2050, while China is rapidly expanding its nuclear infrastructure to surpass the U.S. as the global leader.
• Europe is reconsidering nuclear energy as part of its clean energy strategy, with the European Commission acknowledging past mistakes in reducing nuclear reliance; some countries like Belgium are extending reactor lifespans, while others like Germany continue phasing out nuclear power.
• Russia is actively expanding its nuclear capacity domestically and internationally, exporting reactors to multiple countries, despite controversies linked to the legacy of Chernobyl and geopolitical tensions.