Nuclear Power

Nuclear power is the generation of electricity through controlled nuclear fission reactions, typically using uranium or plutonium fuel in reactors to produce heat that drives steam turbines. The technology harnesses the energy released when atomic nuclei split, creating a chain reaction that generates substantial thermal output from relatively small quantities of fuel. Nuclear power stations operate as baseload facilities, providing continuous, large-scale electricity generation with minimal greenhouse gas emissions during operation. The sector encompasses reactor design and construction, fuel fabrication, plant operation, waste management and decommissioning activities. Major reactor technologies include pressurised water reactors, boiling water reactors, pressurised heavy water reactors and advanced designs such as small modular reactors. Nuclear power accounts for approximately 10% of global electricity generation and remains a significant component of the energy mix in countries including France, the United States, China, Russia and South Korea. The industry faces ongoing challenges related to capital costs, construction timelines, radioactive waste disposal, public acceptance and regulatory frameworks. Proponents emphasise its low-carbon credentials and energy security benefits, whilst critics highlight safety risks, proliferation concerns and the unresolved question of long-term waste storage. The sector experienced renewed interest in the early twenty-first century as governments sought low-emission alternatives to fossil fuels, though the 2011 Fukushima accident in Japan prompted safety reviews and policy reassessments in several markets. Uranium mining and enrichment form the upstream segment of the nuclear fuel cycle, with companies in Canada, Kazakhstan, Australia and Africa supplying the global reactor fleet.