September 2024
The role of nuclear in a net-zero transition
With electricity demand surging, nuclear is a sustainable solution but comes with regulatory, supply chain and financial risks.
Key takeaways
- Electricity contributes to c.40% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and the demand for electricity is only increasing. The continued development of new technologies as well as increasing needs from emerging countries could lead to the share of electricity in final energy consumption jumping from 20% in 2023 to at least 30% by 2050.
- Meeting the rising demand solely through renewables may prove difficult and insufficient, requiring alternative sources of low-carbon energy, and therefore making nuclear part of the solution. However, nuclear as a source of carbon-free power remains controversial because of the waste management issue.
- Still, policy initiatives like the Inflation Reduction Act have increased existing incentives for certain nuclear power plants, while enabling new nuclear projects to break ground. In doing so, this enables nuclear to help pave a path towards a net-zero future.
Read our full analysis for a more in-depth look at these trends.
