Role of nuclear energy in developing countries in the 1990s

Developing countries, as well as industrialized countries, have one element in common: sustained growth in their economies will require increased use of electricity. A few technologically advanced developing countries are making excellent and extensive use of nuclear power for electricity production and have developed a broad research capability in the nuclear field. Nuclear installed capacity in developing countries is expected to increase more than twofold up to the end of the century, corresponding to an additional 40 GW(e) of nuclear capacity. During the same period, nuclear installed capacity in industrialized countries is expected to grow by 65%, an increase of 170 GW(e) of nuclear capacity. Thus, 25% of all new nuclear capacity in the world to be placed in commercial operation in the 13 years up to the year 2000 will be in developing countries. Notwithstanding this achievement, the share of nuclear capacity located in developing countries is likely to remain modest in the foreseeable future. Therefore, in the medium term up to the year 2000, the major share of the electricity requirements of the developing countries will be supplied from conventional thermal and hydro sources. (author). 4 refs, 8 figs, 2 tabs