Nuclear power has emerged over the past few decades as an alternative energy source to carbon-emitting fossil fuels, but its development faces concerns over its safety and environmental impact. This article will look at nuclear power and its safety for the environment.
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Nuclear Energy’s Role in the Global Energy Mix
Nuclear energy is generated by bombarding uranium atoms with neutrons in a nuclear reactor. This process, known as fission, releases heat, which is used to produce steam by heating water. The steam then drives turbines to generate electricity.1
Compared to conventional fossil fuels, such as oil and gas, uranium has a much higher energy output, with 1 kg of uranium generating around 24 million kWh of heat. This is far more than the 8 kWh generated by the complete combustion of 1 kg of coal. 1 kg of enriched uranium is equivalent to around 14,000 kg of mineral oil in terms of energy output.2
Around 2.7 TWh of energy was produced globally using this low-carbon emission energy source in 2023, making up about 10% of the total energy mix worldwide. This figure varies by country, with nations like Belgium, Ukraine, and France heavily reliant on nuclear power for domestic and industrial energy needs. Conversely, South Africa is the only African nation that uses nuclear energy.3
Risks and Challenges with Nuclear Energy
Nuclear power has been touted as a much greener energy alternative to fossil fuels as it does not produce climate change-inducing greenhouse gases. The International Atomic Energy Agency has stated that nuclear power plants are some of the most safe and secure facilities in the world, subject to stringent international oversight and safety standards.
Historical nuclear disasters
However, nuclear power comes with some significant risks and technical challenges. Historical disasters, such as Chernobyl, Fukushima, Three Mile Island in the US, and the Windscale fire in the UK, have remained in the public consciousness, calling into question the environmental safety of nuclear power plants. However, these types of incidents are relatively rare.
Radioactive waste
Most of the danger associated with nuclear power comes from spent radioactive waste, such as fuel rods and contaminated water, which must be stored safely and managed for centuries until it is safe for the environment. Exposure to harmful radioactive waste can have severe health implications on individuals and can be environmentally polluting.
Potential for nuclear power plant incidents
Nuclear power plants are also at risk of accidents and potential terrorist attacks or sabotage. Furthermore, the Russia-Ukraine war highlighted the dangers to nuclear power plants through fighting close to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Moreover, equipment failures or human error could cause catastrophic nuclear incidents.
The United States alone produces around 2,000 metric tons of nuclear waste annually, causing a significant storage challenge. If radioactive waste or materials from an incident at a nuclear power plant enter the environment, it can contaminate soil, water, or air. It can also affect wildlife by causing mutations. These effects will likely be felt for thousands of years.
Technological Advancements in Safety and Sustainability of Nuclear Power Plants
Improving reactor safety and sustainability is one of the nuclear sector’s primary concerns. Technological advancements in recent decades have continued to reduce the nuclear industry's potential environmental impact.
Generation IV reactors
Generation IV reactors include sodium-cooled fast reactors, gas-cooled reactors, and molten salt reactors. Molten salt reactors, for instance, can self-regulate temperature, reducing the risk of overheating and nuclear accidents.
Advanced fuel technologies
Advanced fuel technologies have also been developed in recent years. Coated fuel pellets can withstand extreme conditions, reducing potential incidents. HALEU fuels enhance safety margins and improve reactor performance and efficiency.
Small modular reactors
Small modular reactors possess enhanced safety features, such as passive cooling systems. These compact and scalable solutions are highly adaptable and can be employed in smaller grids and remote locations, enhancing safety and helping to improve access to nuclear power for underserved locales.
Waste management and storage technology
Advanced waste management and storage solutions offer better environmental protection from radioactive waste. For instance, deep geological repositories can store waste more safely.
Fast reactors
Innovations such as fast reactors can also help recycle radioactive waste into fuel.4
Nuclear Power Plant Safety
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What is the Future of Nuclear Power?
According to the IAEA, through 2026, nuclear power is expected to grow by around 3% annually.
New reactors in China and the EU, the restart of reactors in Japan, and increased output in France are predicted to be primary drivers of this growth.
Strategic partnerships, breakthrough technologies, and investment will likely fuel progress in the nuclear sector.5
Small modular reactors are predicted to be one of the breakthrough technologies in the coming years, advancing safety, access, and sustainability in the nuclear sector. Nuclear energy is also being explored as a primary energy source for data centers and the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution. Molten salt reactors are expected to have commercial applications by the mid-2030s.5
Regulatory approval for safer, more efficient, and more cost-effective reactor technologies is predicted to progress through 2025. New pilot projects over the coming years will demonstrate the market potential of new nuclear reactor technologies.
Furthermore, nuclear-powered hydrogen production will offer more sustainable alternatives to conventional fossil fuel production routes. Moreover, nuclear integration into hybrid renewable energy solutions could play an increasing role in the transition to net zero.5 Recent advances in nuclear fusion technology could prove game-changing, but commercial fusion power is still a relatively distant prospect.
The future of safe and environmentally sustainable nuclear power will require technological innovation, policy evolution, new regulatory frameworks, international cooperation, and learning from past incidents. It will also require recognizing and analyzing the success stories of modern nuclear power and its potential as a low-carbon alternative to fossil fuel energy.
Continue Reading: Can We Achieve Sustainable Energy Goals using Nuclear Power?
References and Further Reading
- BBC News (2023) Nuclear energy: How environmentally-friendly and safe is it? [online] bbc.co.uk. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-59212992 (Accessed on 01 March 2025)
- European Nuclear Society (2025) Nuclear Energy Fuel Comparison [online] euronuclear.org. Available at: https://www.euronuclear.org/glossary/fuel-comparison/ (Accessed on 01 March 2025)
- Ritchie, H & Rosado, P (2024) Nuclear Energy Global Data [online] Our World in Data. Available at: https://ourworldindata.org/nuclear-energy (Accessed on 01 March 2025)
- US Business News (2025) The Outlook on Safer Nuclear Reactors [online] usbusinessnews.com. Available at: https://usbusinessnews.com/the-outlook-on-safer-nuclear-reactors/ (Accessed on 01 March 2025)
- Nuclear Business Platform (2025) 10 Major Nuclear Energy Developments to Watch in 2025 [online] Available at: https://www.nuclearbusiness-platform.com/media/insights/10-major-nuclear-energy-developments-to-watch-in-2025 (Accessed on 01 March 2025)
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