Global Momentum Builds to Triple Nuclear Power by 2050
COP 30 | Belém, Brazil | 14 November
At COP 30, World Nuclear Association Director General Dr Sama Bilbao y León reaffirmed that the global ambition to triple nuclear capacity by 2050—first established at COP 28—has shifted decisively from aspiration to achievable reality.
Speaking at the event “Fission Forward: The Global Move to Triple Nuclear Power”, hosted in partnership with the UK Government and Urenco, Dr Bilbao y León highlighted the rapid acceleration of political, industrial and societal support for nuclear energy over the past two years.
“It is possible — and it is within reach”
Dr Bilbao y León reflected on the landmark COP 28 declaration, when 23 countries committed to tripling global nuclear capacity. While some questioned whether the goal was ambitious enough—and others argued it was impossible—she underscored how quickly the landscape has changed:
“I am here to tell you that it is possible, and it is absolutely within reach. But only if we act decisively and collaboratively.”
Since 2023, more than 30 countries have signed the Declaration to Triple, more policies now include nuclear energy, and civil society support continues to grow worldwide.
New National Support: Rwanda and Senegal Join the Coalition
In Belém, Dr Bilbao y León announced that Rwanda and Senegal are the newest nations to join the Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy by 2050.
She praised Rwanda’s “bold ambitions” and highlighted Senegal’s commitment to placing nuclear at the centre of Africa’s energy future, noting Minister Niang’s recent message:
“Africa must not stand behind, but stand at the forefront.”
These new endorsements demonstrate rising support from nations new to nuclear seeking clean, reliable, and development-driving energy solutions.
New Analysis: World Nuclear Outlook 2025 Shows Tripling Within Reach
The event coincided with the preview release of the World Nuclear Outlook 2025, revealing significant momentum:
- 1428 GWe of nuclear capacity by 2050 (exceeding the COP 28 goal of 1200 GWe). Achieved with continued and extended operation of existing reactors, completion of those under construction, and realization of planned and proposed projects, alongside national capacity targets.
- 50+ countries now have nuclear energy plans to 2050
“This is not a pipe dream.”
Dr Bilbao y León emphasised that nuclear remains one of the lowest life-cycle greenhouse gas emitting technologies—comparable to wind, and lower than solar—while providing 24/7 dispatchable clean power.
In 2024, global nuclear generation reached a historic 2667 TWh, avoiding 2.1 billion tonnes of CO₂, equivalent to twice the emissions of global aviation.
Beyond Electricity: Nuclear Will Support Whole-Economy Decarbonisation
Dr Bilbao y León highlighted nuclear energy’s expanding role in decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors, including data centres, chemicals and heavy industry, oil and gas, sustainable aviation fuels and marine shipping.
This growing relevance is reflected in support from major energy users to the tripling declaration, including Amazon, Google, Dow, Allseas, and others.
Industry Leadership and UK Contributions
The session also showcased the UK’s leadership in nuclear investment, including projects such as Sizewell C, Rolls-Royce SMR programme and fusion R&D and commercialization initiatives.
The second half of the event featured an industry fireside discussion moderated by Larissa Noudem from Nuclear4Climate with Emily Isaacs, Global Head of Government Affairs, Urenco and Dr Sama Bilbao y León, Director General of World Nuclear Association.
The conversation explored how tripling nuclear capacity will transform global supply chains and accelerate clean energy deployment.
A Call to Action: “Deliver, deliver, deliver”
Dr Bilbao y León closed with a strong appeal for implementation:
“Declarations are great… but by themselves are not enough. We now need to deliver, deliver, deliver.”
Achieving the tripling goal requires realistic national policies and industrial action plans, affordable financing frameworks, streamlined licensing and permitting and investment in supply chains and human capital.
She added:
“The path to tripling nuclear capacity is open, it’s real — but it demands bold, pragmatic and visionary leadership.”