AI Era Power Shortage Solver 'Nuclear Power'... "Global Generation Capacity Hits All-Time High"

This Year, Global Nuclear Power Capacity Breaks 2018 Record

The world's nuclear power generation capacity reached an all-time high this year.

Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) reported on the 22nd, citing data from the Japan Atomic Industrial Forum, that as of June, the global nuclear power generation capacity reached approximately 416 million kW (kilowatts), surpassing the previous record of 414.45 million kW set in 2018. Currently, there are a total of 466 nuclear reactors in operation worldwide.

Nikkei explained that the reason for the record high global nuclear power capacity this year was mainly due to the recent commissioning of four new reactors (totaling 4.53 million kW) in South Korea, China, the United States, and India. For example, South Korea announced the full commercial operation of Shin Hanul Nuclear Power Plant Unit 2 in April.

Looking at the trend over the past decade, about 70 new nuclear power plants have been built worldwide, increasing generation capacity by approximately 6%. China and Russia are evaluated as leading the expansion of nuclear power. During this period, China constructed 39 new reactors, and Russia restarted 9 existing reactors.

Due to the surge in demand for data centers driven by the AI (artificial intelligence) technology boom, nuclear power is receiving renewed attention. The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts that global electricity demand will approximately double in 50 years compared to current levels. Since nuclear energy is a clean energy source that can supply power 24 hours a day, it is also gaining prominence in the carbon-neutral era.

For this reason, countries around the world are showing efforts to secure dominance in nuclear power generation. Europe has traditionally pursued nuclear power through private initiatives, but recently governments have become more proactive. The French government, as a major shareholder of ?lectricit? de France (EDF), acquired the nuclear steam turbine business from the U.S. energy company GE Vernova in May.

Nikkei emphasized through expert recommendations that Japan also needs to consider building new nuclear power plants. Since the Fukushima accident in 2011, Japan has operated nuclear power plants only to a minimal extent. However, since the Kishida Cabinet took office, there have been signs of nuclear power revival, such as Tokyo Electric Power Company obtaining approval in April to load fuel into a reactor in Niigata Prefecture.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.