Nuclear Energy Politics
Why nuclear power divides nations, how safety fears shaped policy, and whether nuclear is essential for decarbonization.
Renaissance and Retreat
Nuclear energy produces roughly 10% of the world's electricity from about 440 reactors in 32 countries. France leads the developed world with nuclear providing roughly 70% of its electricity, while the US operates the largest fleet of reactors. But nuclear power's share of global electricity has been declining since its peak of 17.5% in 1996, squeezed between cheap renewables, high construction costs, and persistent public fear.
Three accidents shaped nuclear's political trajectory. Three Mile Island in 1979 halted new construction in the US for decades. Chernobyl in 1986 turned European public opinion sharply against nuclear. Fukushima in 2011 triggered Germany's decision to shut all its reactors, Japan's temporary shutdown of its entire fleet, and a global reconsideration of nuclear's role. Each accident, regardless of its specific technical causes, reinforced the perception that nuclear power carries catastrophic risks.