IAEA director general: Nuclear power to continue to play key role in low-carbon electricity production

Nuclear power will continue to play a key role in the world’s low-carbon energy mix, BelTA learned from IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi during the 64th session of the IAEA General Conference.

“The latest IAEA annual projections show that nuclear power will continue to play a key role in the world’s low-carbon energy mix,” the IAEA director general said.

According to the high-case scenario, the global nuclear electrical capacity will be nearly doubled by 2050. Climate change mitigation remains a key potential driver for maintaining and expanding the use of nuclear power.

The 442 nuclear power reactors operating in 31 countries today provide approximately 390 gigawatts of installed capacity, supplying over 10% of the world’s electricity and around a third of all low-carbon electricity. There are 53 reactors under construction in 19 countries, which are expected to provide 56 gigawatts of additional capacity.

As many as 39 virtual events will be held during the IAEA General Conference to discuss innovative activities, which are being pursued in the International Atomic Energy Agency and the member states using nuclear methods.

One of the events will demonstrate how AI-powered approaches to nuclear science can provide more effective cancer treatment, can accelerate research in the area of thermonuclear fusion and help protect the world’s water resources from excessive exploitation and pollution.

A new initiative designed to improve the effectiveness of state systems of accounting for and control of nuclear materials will be presented.