With 60 reactors being built around the world today, another 150 or more planned to come online during the next 10 years, and over two hundred further back in the pipeline, the global nuclear industry is clearly going forward strongly. Countries with established programmes are seeking to replace old reactors as well as expand capacity, and an additional 25 countries are either considering or have already decided to make nuclear energy part of their power generation capacity. However, most (over 80%) of the expansion in this century is likely to be in countries already using nuclear power.
A World Nuclear Association exercise "Nuclear Century Outlook" projects possible expansion in world nuclear generating capacity. From a base of 373 GWe today it projects at least 1130 GWe by 2060 and up to 3500 GWe by then. The upper projection for 2100 is 11,000 GWe.
All parts of the world are involved in this development, and a few examples follow:
China
The Chinese government plans to increase nuclear generating capacity to 70-80 GWe and possible more by 2020. China has completed construction and commenced operation of ten nuclear power plants within the last few years, and some 30 reactors are either under construction or likely to be so by the end of 2010. These include the world's first Westinghouse AP1000 units and a demonstration high-temperature gas-cooled reactor plant. Another 51 units are planned, with construction due to start within three years. Most capacity under construction will be a largely indigenous model.
India
India's target is to construct 20 to 30 new reactors by 2020 as part of its national energy policy. These reactors include light- and heavy water reactors as well as fast reactors. Seven power reactors are under construction or almost so, of both indigenous and foreign design, and including a 500 MWe prototype fast breeder reactor. This will take India's ambitious thorium programme to stage 2, and set the scene for eventual utilization of the country's abundant thorium to fuel reactors.
Russia
Russia plans to double its nuclear capacity to 43 GWe by 2020, using its world-class light water reactors. Construction of a large fast breeder unit has been prioritised, and development proceeds on others, aiming for significant exports. An initial floating power plant is under construction, with delivery due in 2012.
EUROPE
Finland and
France are both expanding their fleets of nuclear power plants with the 1650 MWe EPR from Areva, 40 of which will eventually replace all present French units. Several countries in Eastern Europe are currently constructing (Romania and Slovakia) or have firm plans to build new nuclear power plants (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Romania, Slovenia and Turkey). Italy has decided to revive its scrapped nuclear program, and has already invested in reactors in Slovakia and in France.
A
UK government energy paper in mid 2006 endorsed the replacement of the country's ageing fleet of nuclear reactors with new nuclear build, and four 1600 MWe French units are planned for operation by 2019, with a further 6000 MWe proposed. Sweden has abandoned its plans to prematurely decommission its nuclear power, and is now investing heavily in life extensions and uprates. Hungary, Slovakia and Spain are all planning for life extensions on existing plants.
A number of countries are considering developing nuclear programmes, among them Poland with Estonia and Latvia, who are setting up a joint project with established nuclear power producer Lithuania.
NORTH AMERICA
Canada
The Ontario government has decided to refurbish and restart four reactors - adding 25 years to operating lifetime - as a step in its plan to expand its nuclear fleet. In June 2008 the Ontario government selected Darlington as the site for two large new nuclear reactors operated by OPG to come on line in 2018, and though plans have stalled there remains an intention to build some 3500 MWe of new capacity. Alberta is now considering using nuclear power to extract oil from its northeren deposits of oil sands. AECL is developing new designs of its CANDU reactors, and is bidding for exports.
United States
In the USA, there have been 17 applications to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for joint construction and operating licences for about 25 new nuclear power reactors, and it is clear that there will be significant new nuclear capacity by 2020. One of the reasons for the lack of new build in the USA to date has been the extremely successful evolution in maintenance strategies. Over the last 15 years, changes have increased utilization of US nuclear power plants, with the increased output corresponding to 19 new 1000 MW plants being built.
SOUTH AMERICA
Argentina and
Brazil both have commercial nuclear reactors generating electricity, and additional reactors are under construction. Chile has a research reactor in operation and has the infrastructure and intention to build commercial reactors.
EAST ASIA
Japan and
South Korea have plans or placed orders for 15 and 12 new nuclear power reactors, respectively. Both countries are also involved in intense research on future reactor designs.
PAKISTAN
Pakistan is expanding its nuclear fleet with Chinese designed reactors, and its 2005 Energy Security Plan includes construction of an additional 8 GWe of nuclear capacity by 2030.
MIDDLE EAST
The United Arab Emirates is planning to build four 1450 MWe South Korean reactors at a cost of over $20 billion and is collaborating closely with IAEA and experienced international firms.
Jordan and Egypt are also moving towards employing nuclear energy for power and desalination.
SE ASIA
Vietnam intends to have it first nuclear power plant operating in 2017 with Russian help and a second soon after with Japanese input. Indonesia, Thailand and Philippines are planning nuclear power programs. Bangladesh has approved a Russian proposal to build its first nuclear power plant.
CENTRAL ASIA
Uranium-abundant
Kazakhstan is working closely with Russia in planning development of small new reactors for its own use and export.
AFRICA
In
South Africa a feasibility study is assessing plans for further conventional nuclear power reactors.
Nigeria has sought the support of the International Atomic Energy Agency to develop plans for two 1000 MWe reactors.
NEW COUNTRIES
A September 2010 report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on
International Status and Prospects of Nuclear Power said that of the 27 countries without nuclear power but planning reactors, at September 2010: 14 “indicate a strong intention to proceed” with introduction of nuclear power; seven are preparing but haven’t made a final decision, 10 have made a decision and are preparing infrastructure, two have ordered a new nuclear power plant and one has a plant under construction, according to the IAEA assessment. These are identifiable in the WNA paper
Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries.