Jul 09, 2022 12:00:00

International Energy Agency recommends 'double nuclear power generation by 2050'

The Japanese government has issued a nationwide

power saving request in preparation for the power shortage in the summer of 2022, and in a situation where even thermal power plants that had been shut down due to aging are being mobilized , regarding the restart of nuclear power plants There is also discussion . As France re-evaluates nuclear power as a fossil fuel-independent energy, including plans to build a new nuclear power plant, the International Energy Agency (IEA) announced on June 30, 2022, 'Zero carbon emissions (net carbon emissions). Achieving (Net Zero Emissions) requires doubling nuclear power generation by the middle of this century. '

Executive summary – Nuclear Power and Secure Energy Transitions – Analysis --IEA
https://www.iea.org/reports/nuclear-power-and-secure-energy-transitions/executive-summary

Nuclear power can play a major role in enabling secure transitions to low emissions energy systems --News --IEA
https://www.iea.org/news/nuclear-power-can-play-a-major-role-in-enabling-secure-transitions-to-low-emissions-energy-systems

Global nuclear power capacity must double by 2050 if we want to ensure energy security | Euronews
https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/06/30/global-nuclear-power-capacity-must-double-by-2050-if-we-want-to-ensure-energy-security

In its newly released report, Nuclear power and secure energy transitions , the IEA finds it difficult to build a renewable energy-centric society without nuclear energy. He pointed out that there are risks and increased costs of the energy crisis.

The IEA then said, 'Countries that choose to continue or expand their use of nuclear power can afford to adopt solar and wind power in their power networks while reducing their dependence on fossil fuels and carbon dioxide emissions. It is recommended that support by nuclear energy is important for the conversion to an energy system centered on renewable energy.

According to the IEA, global nuclear power generation must be doubled from 413 gigawatts in 2022 to 812 gigawatts by 2050 in order to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius before the Industrial Revolution. .. The IEA does not consider nuclear energy to be an alternative to fossil fuels for climate change, but points out that it is difficult to achieve zero emissions with solar and wind alone. Therefore, it is expected that nuclear power, which emits less carbon dioxide next to hydroelectric power generation and has excellent power generation and potential growth potential, will be useful in achieving energy transformation.

IEA Secretary-General Fatih Birol said, 'The modern situation of the global energy crisis, rising fossil fuel prices, energy security challenges and ambitious climate change measures is a unique opportunity for nuclear power to revive. I'm thinking. '

On the other hand, nuclear energy also has its challenges. According to the IEA, developed countries own nearly 70% of the world's nuclear power capacity, but many nuclear power plants are aging. This is because most of the current nuclear power plants have been constructed all at once as a lesson from the oil crisis of the 1970s.

In developed countries, investment in nuclear power is stagnant, and project delays are noticeable. In addition, safety concerns and nuclear waste issues remain persistent. Due to these problems, 27 of the 31 nuclear reactors that started construction after 2017 are designed by Russia and China, Mr. Virol said, 'Developed countries have lost leadership in the nuclear field.' I showed a sense of crisis.

Despite this situation, the IEA said, 'Currently, a total of 19 countries are constructing nuclear reactors, as nuclear energy is being reassessed due to soaring energy prices triggered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This shows the momentum of nuclear power generation, which has been stimulated by soaring oil, gas and electricity prices in recent years. On the other hand, in some countries, nuclear power has received political opposition, and the IEA mixes nuclear energy with energy. We do not recommend anything to countries that choose not to enter the market, 'he said, advocating the importance of nuclear energy and respecting the choice not to use nuclear power.