Modest Increase in Nuclear Power Predicted

A study released last week by the Centre for International Governance Innovation predicts only a modest increase in the number of nuclear power plants and a small number of new countries joining the 30 or so countries that currently have nuclear power plants.

The report suggests that a significant worldwide expansion is unlikely before 2030, and that a window of opportunity exists to fix the currently inadequate global governance system to avoid nuclear accidents and weapons proliferation. The report says that since the 1986 Chernobyl accident, nuclear safety has improved around the world, but that a safety culture around nuclear power does not exist in all countries. 

President Obama will host a special summit on nuclear security in April, Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty signatories will meet in New York for a review conference in May and it looks like nuclear issues will be high on the agenda at the G8 summit in Huntsville, Ontario in June. 

The report makes several recommendations to improve global nuclear global governance and make the world safer for nuclear energy.  It also argues that Canada, with experience in nuclear technology and a history of engagement in the construction of effective global governance in this area, is particularly well placed to promote such an agenda.