Why is Asia embracing nuclear power?

China currently has 53 nuclear power plants with plans to scale
up significantly in the next decade, while India is planning to
build 10 new power plants over the next three years. South
Korea’s new government has committed to restarting its civil
nuclear programme and even Japan’s prime minister has pledged to
resume nuclear power in a country that has long been resistant.


Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, energy security has now
become more of a priority with countries looking for alternatives
to Russian gas. And as countries transition to renewable power in
an effort to reach net zero by 2050, governments are looking for
a stable, green power supply which is lower cost. In the latest
IPCC report, all pathways recommended nuclear in some form to
mitigate against climate change.


After nuclear disasters such as Fukushima in Japan, safety has
become an even more pressing issue, both in the region and
globally, in the face of a resistant public and to safeguard
communities around any power plants. We gained access to the
Hinkley Point power plant in the UK which has adapted the design
of the reactors to make them safer after what happened in Japan;
but the pace of building has been slow and costs have been high.
In China, a commitment to build more has led to a coordinated
approach in terms of training, the supply chain and funding. But
there are challenges ahead.


Presenters Kate Lamble and Jordan Dunbar are joined by Changhua
Wu, a policy analyst specialising in China's environment, energy,
climate change and sustainable development; Diane Cameron, head
of the Nuclear Technology Development and Economics Division at
the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency; Edwin Lyman, expert on nuclear
safety and proliferation; and Director of Nuclear Power Safety at
the Union of Concerned scientists in Washington.


Producers: Serena Tarling and Alex Murray Researcher: Immy Rhodes
Series Producer: Alex Lewis Sound engineer: Tom Brignell Editor:
Richard Fenton-Smith