NEA director general Luis Echávarri pointed out that, “Nuclear is already one of the main sources of low-carbon energy today. If we can address the challenges to its further expansion, nuclear has the potential to play a larger role in cutting CO2 emissions.” No major technological breakthroughs will be needed to achieve the level of nuclear expansion envisaged, the roadmap finds. However, important policy-related, industrial, financial and public acceptance barriers to the rapid growth of nuclear power remain. The roadmap sets out an action plan with steps that will need to be taken by governments, industry and others to overcome these. A clear and stable policy commitment to nuclear energy as part of overall energy strategy is a pre-requisite, as is gaining greater public acceptance for nuclear programmes. Progress in implementing plans for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste will also be vital. The international system of safeguards to prevent proliferation of nuclear technology and materials must be maintained and strengthened where necessary.

Financing the construction of new nuclear plants is expected to be a major challenge in many countries. In some cases, governments may need to support nuclear investment through measures such as loan guarantees until nuclear power programmes are well-established. Technologies now under development for next-generation nuclear systems potentially offer improved sustainability, economics, safety and reliability. The aim is to advance development and uptake of key low-carbon technologies needed to reach the goal of a 50 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050. Nuclear generating capacity worldwide is presently 370 gigawatts electrical (GWe), providing 14 per cent of global electricity.

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