The need for nuclear power

Energy is one of the most significant resources of global economy, and is necessary to increase the opportunities of economic and social development.  
Already today, the world’s energy consumption - 80% of which is produced from fossil fuels, whose combustion generates carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases – accounts for 12 billion tonnes of oil equivalent. The growth of the demand is estimated in 40% over 20 years, due to the increased population and industrialization, especially in emerging countries.    

Regarding specifically electricity, the demand will undergo an annual growth rate of 2.5% up to 2030, with total capacity reaching 4,800 GW, that is almost five times current capacity in the USA.

Therefore, we must face several challenges: meeting significant electricity needs while facing the reduction of fossil fuels and enacting measures to tackle climate change.

In order to achieve these objectives, it is certainly necessary to save electricity, develop carbon capture and storage technologies and increase as much as possible the use of renewablesNevertheless, no source, not even renewables, is capable alone of meeting electricity needs.

The most suitable solution is therefore a balanced generation mix that includes fossil fuels, renewables and nuclear power. Indeed, nuclear ensures the stability of electricity generation while allowing the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions: over one year, a nuclear power station can save emissions for 9 million tonnes  of carbon dioxide. It would be equivalent to removing 4 and a half million cars from the roads.