Nuclear power in worldwide energy projections

A strong deployment of nuclear reactors implies a very strong political commitment that will involve the future generations. This deployment is very unlikely to happen in the western world because of the fear of nuclear accidents and the lack of visibility for the management of radioactive waste, but it may be likely in Asia where most of today's new reactors are being built. The analysis of energy projections shows that leaving aside nuclear power is also a gamble on the future. The corresponding projections rely on the ability of societies to reduce energy consumption, to increase energy efficiency, and to manage an important production of intermittent energies without resorting to fossil energies. If we fail, fossil fuels will stay an important source of energy in the future making climatic warming irreversible. (A.C.)