Director General's Conclusions

Last year’s report noted the ever-growing policy support for nuclear; this year momentum has increased further. At the COP28 climate change conference in Dubai in December 2023, nuclear energy received high-level recognition for the first time. Leaders from 25 governments signed a ministerial declaration committing to the tripling of global nuclear energy capacity to achieve net zero by 2050. Notably, countries currently without nuclear energy, such as Ghana, Jamaica, Mongolia, Morocco, and Poland, signed the declaration alongside long established nuclear energy countries, such as France, South Korea, the UK, and the USA.  

The industry responded to the ministerial declaration with the Net Zero Nuclear pledge, signed by more than 120 companies supporting nuclear energy worldwide. The World Nuclear Performance Report 2023 data and case studies illustrate the work being done to improve operational performance and make the most of the current nuclear fleet. At the same time, a significant increase in new nuclear construction is necessary if the tripling goal is to be achieved. This level of construction depends on the nuclear industry rising above the financing, supply chain and regulatory challenges faced by new projects, particularly in the Western world 

Governments are increasingly creating supportive policy environments to advance nuclear development for both small and large plants with a range of applications, with resurgence in the USA, Canada, and many European countries. Meanwhile, in Asia – particularly in China, India and South Korea – continues to pursue clear energy and industrial growth strategies that include nuclear power. Nuclear has rapidly become a significant component of the UAE energy mix, while the new build programmes of other newcomers such as Bangladesh, Egypt, and Turkey are proceeding well.  

Nuclear technologies will have a broader role than traditional grid electricity supply. There is increasing interest from end energy users such as data centres, which have high electricity requirements, and industrial producers, that require heat for chemical and material production applications or desalination. This offers the potential to decarbonize the wider economy, especially hard-to-abate sectors.  

The global nuclear reactor fleet has a proven track record of excellent performance. It is now time to build on that track record and significantly accelerate the pace of new nuclear construction. Today, there are 64 reactors under construction around the world, with many more planned and proposed in both new and established nuclear countries. The industry is set for a major expansion, and we can expect more governments and companies to sign the declaration to triple global nuclear energy capacity. Additionally, we anticipate increased collaboration with other industries. Now is the time for the nuclear industry to capitalize on this momentum and deliver the full potential of nuclear energy for people and planet. 

Sama Bilbao y León
Director General
World Nuclear Association

August 2024