Since it is #WEO2021 day: How has the framing of #nuclear power in the World Energy Outlook reports evolved throughout the years?
Here follows a brief history of global nuclear policy! Thread.👇 (Source: @IEA)
Here follows a brief history of global nuclear policy! Thread.👇 (Source: @IEA)
The Nuclear Renaissance…
2006: ”Nuclear power can play a pivotal role if public acceptance is regained.” Mentions: 706
2007: “Nuclear power can also make a major contribution to lowering emissions. Exceptionally quick and vigorous policy action needed.” Mentions: 303
2006: ”Nuclear power can play a pivotal role if public acceptance is regained.” Mentions: 706
2007: “Nuclear power can also make a major contribution to lowering emissions. Exceptionally quick and vigorous policy action needed.” Mentions: 303
…that didn’t happen:
2008: “The share of nuclear power in primary energy demand edges down over the Outlook period,”. Mentions: 202
2009: “Nuclear power output grows in all major regions bar Europe, but its share in total generation falls”. Mentions: 456
2008: “The share of nuclear power in primary energy demand edges down over the Outlook period,”. Mentions: 202
2009: “Nuclear power output grows in all major regions bar Europe, but its share in total generation falls”. Mentions: 456
Suddenly optimistic…
2010: “The share of nuclear power in total generation increases by about 50% over current levels.”. Mentions: 362
2010: “The share of nuclear power in total generation increases by about 50% over current levels.”. Mentions: 362
But then…
2011: “Post-Fukushima: Second thoughts on nuclear would have far-reaching consequences”. Mentions: 749
2011: “Post-Fukushima: Second thoughts on nuclear would have far-reaching consequences”. Mentions: 749
2012: “The anticipated role of nuclear power has been scaled back as countries have reviewed policies in the wake of the 2011 accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station.” Mentions: 367
2013: “The current rate of construction of nuclear power plants has been slowed by reviews of safety regulations, but output from nuclear eventually increases by two-thirds”. Mentions: 304
Time to get serious:
2014: “Nuclear power is one of the few options available at scale to reduce CO2 emissions while providing or displacing other forms of baseload generation. Policies concerning np will remain an essential feature of national energy strategies”. Mentions: 1431
2014: “Nuclear power is one of the few options available at scale to reduce CO2 emissions while providing or displacing other forms of baseload generation. Policies concerning np will remain an essential feature of national energy strategies”. Mentions: 1431
Or not…
2015: “the share of coal in the global electricity mix drops from 41% to 30%, with non-hydro renewables gaining a similar amount, while gas, nuclear and hydro broadly maintain their existing shares.” Mentions: 371
2015: “the share of coal in the global electricity mix drops from 41% to 30%, with non-hydro renewables gaining a similar amount, while gas, nuclear and hydro broadly maintain their existing shares.” Mentions: 371
The Paris Agreement pushes the need of CO2-reduction:
2016: “The frontlines for additional emissions reductions are in the power sector, via
accelerated deployment of renewables, nuclear power (where politically acceptable) and carbon capture and storage”. Mentions: 350
2016: “The frontlines for additional emissions reductions are in the power sector, via
accelerated deployment of renewables, nuclear power (where politically acceptable) and carbon capture and storage”. Mentions: 350
However, the 100% renewables narrative affects nuclear policies:
2017: “The outlook for nuclear has meanwhile dimmed somewhat, in response to signs of waning support in some countries.”
2018: “Lifetime extensions present major uncertainty for the role of nuclear”. Mentions: 328
2017: “The outlook for nuclear has meanwhile dimmed somewhat, in response to signs of waning support in some countries.”
2018: “Lifetime extensions present major uncertainty for the role of nuclear”. Mentions: 328
IPCC #SR15 changed everything:
2019: “Transforming the entire energy system will require progress across a much wider range of energy technologies, including efficiency, CCUS, hydrogen, #nuclear and others.” Mentions: 315
2019: “Transforming the entire energy system will require progress across a much wider range of energy technologies, including efficiency, CCUS, hydrogen, #nuclear and others.” Mentions: 315
Nuclear power finally gets its own chapter like all other power sources!
2020: “Electricity takes an ever-greater role in overall energy consumption, as rising output from renewables and nuclear power helps to bring down emissions.” Mentions: 327
2020: “Electricity takes an ever-greater role in overall energy consumption, as rising output from renewables and nuclear power helps to bring down emissions.” Mentions: 327
Increased focus on 1.5 deg:
2021 (today): “A massive additional push for clean electrification that requires a doubling of solar PV and wind deployment /../ a *major expansion* of other low-emissions generation, including the use of #nuclear power where acceptable” Mentions: 104
2021 (today): “A massive additional push for clean electrification that requires a doubling of solar PV and wind deployment /../ a *major expansion* of other low-emissions generation, including the use of #nuclear power where acceptable” Mentions: 104
Since 2019 there is a clear trend towards a more optimistic view on the potential of and outlook for #nuclear power, in the wording of @IEA in the WEO. What is your bet on the future of #nuclear power? 😉
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