The role of nuclear energy in OECD countries

Some 80% of the world's nuclear generating capacity is in the OECD area, with about 300 nuclear power reactors in operation. To date, thirteen Member Countries of the Nuclear Energy Agency have developed nuclear energy programmes, contributing more than 20% of the total electricity generation in the OECD area. Thus, nuclear power is viewed as an essential component of the energy policies of many OECD countries. Yet there is a wide diversity of attitudes among its members towards nuclear power, ranging from a heavy reliance on the atom for the supply of electricity to a definite policy of foregoing this energy option, at least for the time being. Behind this overall important role played by nuclear power in the OECD area is the recognition that nuclear energy is - along with coal - one of the cheapest ways to generate electricity, with definite advantages over other sources as regards the impact on the environment and security of supplies. The paper reviews the current situation in the main parts of the nuclear fuel cycle, quantitatively and qualitatively, from uranium supply and demand to waste storage and disposal. In spite of this favourable potential, the outlook for nuclear power in the OECD area is influenced by a range of factors: slow growth of the demand for electricity, uncertain public confidence, radioactive waste management issues, etc. The recent accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant created not only a shock, but also a renewed public and political awareness of the need to maintain nuclear plant safety at the highest possible levels. While this accident did not place in technical doubt the design and safety features of reactors in the OECD area, there are lessons to be drawn for nuclear energy worldwide. The unique safety co-operation amongst OECD countries may well serve as a model to achieve this objective. Taking into account these many factors, there is confidence that nuclear generated electricity will continue to grow in the OECD area to about 360 GW(e) by the year 2000, or a quarter of OECD's total electricity generation. (author)