IAEA forecasts tripling of global nuclear capacity by 2060 — OilPrice
The International Atomic Energy Agency forecasts that global nuclear generation capacity could triple by 2060. A significant share of the new capacity will be provided by small modular reactors, according to the agency, OilPrice reports.
Share of small reactors
Under the IAEA's high-growth scenario, SMRs are expected to account for 28% of all new nuclear capacity commissioned by 2060. Under the lowest-growth scenario, their share is estimated at 23%.
In its previous assessment, the agency assigned small modular reactors 24% of new capacity in the high scenario and 5% in the low scenario. The IAEA expects the most active deployment of such technologies in North America, where SMRs could provide about 60% of new nuclear capacity. In Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, this figure is forecast at 40% under both growth scenarios.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Project in Michigan
In the United States, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has accelerated the procedure for the construction of two small modular reactors at the Palisades energy site in Michigan. The project was allowed to begin work before receiving a limited work authorization.
The two reactors are expected to have a combined capacity of 680 megawatts. China and Russia currently have the world's only operating grid-connected SMRs. In the United States, according to the publication, one SMR design has been patented, and its commercial deployment is expected in 2028.
Demand from data centers
Growing needs of data centers for artificial intelligence systems are increasing the technology sector's interest in small reactors as a scalable source of baseload low-carbon generation. At the same time, the development of SMRs has been constrained by regulatory barriers, a lack of financing, and problems in nuclear fuel supply chains. The article also notes that these technologies have not yet become cost-competitive with large hydropower and offshore wind projects.
