Developing nuclear power

Generating nuclear power
Operating nuclear power plants
Managing nuclear reactors
Representing interests of nuclear industry
Providing nuclear power stations
Producing nuclear power
Expanding nuclear power sources

Description

Developing nuclear power involves establishing and expanding facilities to generate electricity through controlled nuclear reactions. This strategy aims to provide a reliable, large-scale energy source with low greenhouse gas emissions, addressing energy security and climate change concerns. Essential actions include constructing reactors, ensuring rigorous safety protocols, managing radioactive waste, and maintaining regulatory oversight. By diversifying energy portfolios, nuclear power development remedies dependence on fossil fuels and mitigates the environmental impacts of conventional energy production.

Context

The Response Strategies Working Group of the International Panel on Climate Change calls for a major expansion of nuclear power.

Implementation

In terms of installed nuclear capacity, numbers of nuclear stations, and the amount of nuclear electricity sold, the nuclear industry in western Europe is the largest in the world (followed by North America). Nuclear power produces over 30% of electricity consumed in Europe. In 1994, there were more than 150 operational nuclear units in West European countries. The nuclear industry in western Europe spends a total of some 55,000 million ECU per year on operating and supporting its present nuclear stations, on the construction of 4 new stations, and other developments; and it provides some 450,000 jobs.