APAC nuclear operational capacity reaches 132 GW

China has the most consistent performance in terms of nuclear capacity.

The Asian Pacific's (APAC) nuclear power sector saw a "robust expansion", reaching 132 gigawatts (GW) of capacity in operation, according to a Kearney report.

The report also said that there were 48 (GW) of capacity in construction or commission, and 91 GW in the planning stage.

APAC is followed by Europe with 119 GW in operational capacity, 10 GW in construction, and 37 GW in planning. Canada and the US have a total operational capacity of 109 GW, around 2 GW in construction, and 4 GW planned.

China has emerged as a frontrunner in the construction of 45 GW over the past decade and 25 GW in its pipeline.

Other Asian countries have shown significant advancements in nuclear power. India has also produced a significant nuclear capacity of 6 GW. Japan has also advanced its technology, despite the political and civil sentiments toward nuclear energy, whilst Taiwan has set plans to phase out its nuclear fleet.

Several markets have made nuclear energy a crucial component of energy production. South Korea and Russia have continued to be major producers and exporters of nuclear technology, opening towards the progression of reactor designs. UAE has opened its first nuclear power plant. Saudi Arabia has forwarded plans for the development of its nuclear energy.

With the progression and transition to a more accessible energy source, despite the rise of coal and gas prices, other markets like Singapore, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Australia have planned to expand their nuclear capabilities and construct SMRs.

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As more challenges like net zero emissions by 2050 and the energy crisis in Europe, nuclear power has been sought as a contingency measure for many markets, especially as small modular reactors (SMRs) have materialised as a potential solution.

Through the consistency of their developments, SMRs show substantial potential for contributing to economies and gauging sustained growth. APAC’s openness to nuclear power can be attributed to the asset-rich profile, R&D concentration, arduous regulatory compliance, extensive supply chains, long-term operation, and sizeable indirect impact of small modular reactors.

However, their deployment would fall on regulatory changes that account for SMR-specific considerations, strategic partnerships with fellow energy producers, and vigorous energy supply chains.