World nuclear capacity needs to double by 2050 – IEA

Global nuclear capacity must more than double by 2050, with nuclear power supplying 17% of global electricity generation by then, if the world is to most effectively and efficiently reach the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) 2 Degrees Scenario for limiting global temperature rise.

The IEA’s Technology Roadmap: Nuclear Energy 2015 Update says that stable, long-term investment frameworks are needed to allow new nuclear capacity to be developed. It also states that stable electricity prices could help the case for nuclear power, and that a stable price for carbon emissions is needed in this regard.

The roadmap offers suggestions to accomplish the growth it says is necessary, looking at technology, safety requirements, optimised design, and financing options; as well as decommissioning.

China plans to have 58 GW of nuclear capacity online by 2020 (up from 17 GW in 2014) with a further 30 GW under construction in 2020. However, under the IEA’s 2 Degrees Scenario, total nuclear capacity should be 950 GW in 2050.

According to World Nuclear News there was a slight increase in nuclear capacity in 2014. Five new reactors were connected to grids, one was retired in the US, and Fukushima units five and six were decommissioned. This lead to a net gain of two units to 437 units worldwide, with a total capacity of 378 GW.