Launch of Net Zero Nuclear to target tripling of nuclear capacity

The World Nuclear Association (WNA) and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) have called for collaboration between government, industry leaders and civil society to triple global nuclear capacity to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

The call, supported by the Atoms4NetZero initiative launched by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), recommends rapid deployment of more nuclear technologies.

It came about during the launch of Net Zero Nuclear, an initiative for advocacy for nuclear energy’s role in achieving global clean energy security, which was debuted during the opening of the World Nuclear Symposium.

Recent data modelling has shown that global nuclear energy capacity should at least triple by 2050 to achieve climate targets while still ensuring global energy security. This would require the worldwide rate of deployment to average 40GW per year, more than six times the rate of deployment over the past decade.

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The initiative will work to ensure nuclear energy’s potential is fully realized in facilitating the decarbonization of global energy systems, by promoting the value of nuclear energy and removing barriers to its growth.

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said: “Building on the efforts made during COP 26 and COP 27, nuclear energy will feature even more prominently at COP28. As more nations understand the role nuclear can play in achieving energy security and decarbonisation targets, global support for nuclear energy is growing."

Grossi added, "We welcome the important objectives of Net Zero Nuclear launched by the nuclear industry, which is in line with the Atoms4NetZero initiative launched by the IAEA and we will continue to provide technical support and cooperation to countries with existing nuclear power programmes and those considering embarking on them".

Dr Sama Bilbao y León, Director General of World Nuclear Association, said: "Scaling up nuclear energy capacity to at least three times its current size requires political will from energy leaders, along with mobilizing quickly and efficiently the required financing. We have no time to lose in delivering a realistic, proven approach to the clean energy transition. Through Net Zero Nuclear, we hope to facilitate the action our industry needs to grow.”

During the global launch in London, it was announced that the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero would be joining Net Zero Nuclear as the inaugural government partner to collaborate and support the initiative on the road towards COP28 in the UAE.

UK Minister for Nuclear and Networks Andrew Bowie, said: “We have launched a nuclear power revival in the UK, with projects like Hinkley and Sizewell C, but also with Great British Nuclear...I am therefore proud that the UK is the first government partner in this new initiative, as a means of championing nuclear technologies both to boost global energy security and in achieving net zero, particularly as we look ahead to COP28.”

Globally, nuclear energy has experienced a significant resurgence over the past two years, as nations rush to meet energy security and decarbonisation targets.

The industry has benefited from major policy announcements in different nations, including the UK, US, Canada, Japan, France and China, as well as growing inclusion in green financing mechanisms and a major uptick in private investment interest in nuclear energy technologies.