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Nuclear Capacity Set to Surge, IEA Says

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  • IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol (second from left) announces the release of its latest World Energy Outlook together with (from right) lead authors Tim Gould and Laura Cozzi, and Head of Communications at IEA Jethro Mullens (Image: Screengrab from online launch)
    IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol (second from left) announces the release of its latest World Energy Outlook together with (from right) lead authors Tim Gould and Laura Cozzi, and Head of Communications at IEA Jethro Mullens (Image: Screengrab from online launch)
    Image: World Nuclear News
    IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol (second from left) announces the release of its latest World Energy Outlook together with (from right) lead authors Tim Gould and Laura Cozzi, and Head of Communications at IEA Jethro Mullens (Image: Screengrab from online launch) Source Full size

Global nuclear capacity to rise from 420 GWe to 728 GWe by 2050 – The International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook projects a one‑third increase by 2035 and a total rise of about 308 GWe by mid‑century, ending two decades of stagnation [2].

Record‑high output expected in 2025, driven by SMR advances – The IEA notes that small modular reactors are improving the outlook and that nuclear will be a critical low‑emissions baseload as demand surges [1].

Over 40 nations now backing nuclear; 70 GWe under construction – New projects, including reactor restarts in Japan, represent the highest construction level in 30 years, with agreements for 30 GW of SMRs mainly to power data centres [1].

IEA scenarios show differing growth paths – Under the Current Policies Scenario capacity reaches 728 GWe by 2050, while the Stated Policies Scenario doubles output to 784 GWe, keeping nuclear at a stable 9 % electricity share but still below the goal to triple capacity [2].

Nuclear investment up >70 % in five years, needing $210 B peak – Annual spending is projected at over $100 B in the Stated Policies Scenario and $90 B in the Current Policies Scenario; achieving a tripling pledge would require a peak of about $210 B around 2035 and an extra $900 B by 2050 [1].

Electricity demand booming from data‑centre and AI growth – Global data‑centre investment is forecast at $580 B in 2025, surpassing oil‑supply spending, underscoring the IEA’s view that the world has entered an “Age of Electricity” [1].

  • International Energy Agency (IEA) – “A record high in nuclear power output is expected in 2025.”
  • IEA – “Technology advances – particularly in small modular reactors (SMRs) – are improving the outlook for nuclear power.”
  • IEA – “Innovation, cost control and greater visibility on future cash flows is essential to diversify a sector that has been characterised by high market concentration.”
  • Fatih Birol, IEA Executive Director – “Last year, we said the world was moving quickly into the Age of Electricity – and it’s clear today that it has already arrived.”
  • IEA – “Investments in nuclear energy have grown by more than 70 % over the past five years.”

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