"The lack of nuclear generation will make it harder, riskier and more expensive for countries to build sustainable clean energy systems."  Says the International Energy Agency in its recent report on the nuclear power industry.  
 
The IEA said, on a global scale, nuclear power is second to the hydropower low-carbon power sources, installed higher than to wind power and photovoltaic, in the process of elimination of fossil fuels, nuclear power should be in low carbon energy transformation, maintenance, energy security play an important role, but parts of Europe and the United States nuclear power facilities aging serious, emerging nuclear power technology development is relatively slow,  Governments of all countries should strengthen their support for nuclear power and further promote its development.  
 
The zero carbon vision is indispensable  
 
So far, there are 413 gigawatts of nuclear power installed in 32 countries, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1.5 billion tons a year, according to the IEA.  
 
The IEA pointed out that to choose to use nuclear power or expanding nuclear power installed, the application of nuclear energy will help these countries to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, reducing carbon dioxide emissions, and help to improve stroke power, photovoltaic (pv) grid system such as volatility than of clean energy, to help countries achieve the transformation of energy security.  At the same time, to achieve net zero emissions, the global nuclear fleet needs to more than double from 2020 by 2050, with nuclear generating about 8 per cent of the energy system dominated by renewables.  
 
Birol, head of the IEA, said the global energy supply crisis, high fossil fuel prices, the fight against climate change and energy security challenges had given nuclear a great opportunity to "make a comeback".  
 
Mainstream technology is moving East  
 
However, Birol also argues that the sustainability of nuclear power will be influenced by governments' ability to put in place strong policies to support nuclear power, establish sustainable operations, and promote the necessary investment in new nuclear technologies.  
 
About 70% of the world's nuclear reactors are in developed countries, but the country's nuclear infrastructure is aging, with the average operating age in North America at 36 years and in Europe at 38 years, according to the IEA.  Without government intervention, the IEA said, the total amount of nuclear power installed in developed countries is likely to fall by more than a third by 2030.  
 
In contrast, China, India and Russia have become the "mainstream markets" of the global nuclear power industry.  The average operating age of a nuclear power facility in India is about 15 years, data show.  Not only that, but so far in 2017, 31 nuclear reactors have been built around the world, of which 27, or more than 80 percent, use technology from China and Russia.  
 
The IEA cited slow investment, high construction costs and an unfriendly electricity market as the main reasons for the "lag" in nuclear projects in developed countries.  At the same time, in most countries the cost of wind and photovoltaics has almost reached parity with the cost of nuclear power, which means that nuclear power itself is no longer a cost advantage over renewables.  
 
Continued cost cuts and policy support are essential  
 
IEA statistics show that the number of new nuclear power projects around the world has risen significantly in 2021 compared with the past few years, indicating a global nuclear "rebound".  At present, there are 21 nuclear reactors under construction around the world, with an installed capacity of 54 gigawatts. Apart from China, South Korea, Turkey, India and the United Kingdom all have multi-million kilowatts of nuclear power projects under construction.  
 
In order to further expand nuclear power installation and promote the global low-carbon energy transition, the IEA recommended that the nuclear power industry further reduce costs and complete nuclear power projects within the stipulated budget.  At the same time, governments of all countries should also introduce relevant supportive policies to ensure the use of nuclear power and enhance energy security.  In addition, investment should be maintained to develop new nuclear technologies while operating existing nuclear power facilities.  
 
The IEA believes that small modular nuclear reactors are one of the most promising emerging technologies for nuclear power.  It is known that the installed capacity of small modular nuclear reactor projects is usually less than 300,000 kilowatts, only about one third of that of traditional nuclear power plants. They have the advantages of low construction cost, small scale and low project risk, which will help to increase social recognition and attract social investment.  
 
Small modular nuclear reactors, which could be used not only to generate electricity but also heat and hydrogen production, would help develop the entire industrial chain, the IEA said.