NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Energy disruptions stemming from the conflict in Iran are prompting countries across Asia and Africa to expand their nuclear power capabilities, with some nations accelerating existing atomic energy programs while others rush to develop new ones.
Asian countries, which rely heavily on Middle Eastern oil and natural gas imports, experienced the most severe initial impact from shipping disruptions carrying these essential fuels. African nations quickly followed, while the United States and Europe are also experiencing increased energy costs due to the ongoing conflict.
Countries in both Africa and Asia that already operate nuclear facilities are ramping up production as they seek immediate energy alternatives, while nations without atomic power are fast-tracking nuclear development plans to protect against future fossil fuel supply disruptions.
Atomic energy won’t provide an immediate solution to the current energy shortage. Building nuclear capabilities can span decades, particularly for countries new to the technology. However, nuclear commitments made today will likely become permanent fixtures in nations’ energy portfolios, according to Joshua Kurlantzick from the Council on Foreign Relations.
Across Asia, the Iranian conflict is motivating South Korea to boost nuclear electricity production, while Taiwan debates bringing shuttered reactors back online. African nations including Kenya, Rwanda and South Africa are reinforcing their commitment to future reactor construction projects with renewed urgency.
Atomic power harnesses energy released when an atom’s nucleus, typically uranium, breaks apart through fission. This process generates electricity without producing carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to climate change. However, it creates radioactive waste that poses potential hazards, making many nations hesitant about nuclear development.
The conflict has accelerated a worldwide “nuclear renaissance,” according to Rachel Bronson from the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, as nations seek alternatives to volatile fossil fuel markets.
Currently, 31 nations utilize nuclear energy, which generates approximately 10% of worldwide electricity, reports the International Atomic Energy Agency. The organization notes that 40 additional countries are either evaluating the technology or preparing reactor construction.
Throughout Asia, where emergency energy measures include increased coal consumption and Russian oil purchases, countries with nuclear plants are working to maximize output from current reactors.
South Korea is boosting generation at operational nuclear facilities while expediting maintenance on five offline reactors, planning May restarts.
Taiwan and Japan are reversing policies that closed nuclear facilities following the 2011 Fukushima disaster, which occurred when an earthquake and tsunami knocked out reactor cooling systems.
Taiwan is evaluating the multi-year process of reactivating two reactors due to the current emergency, requiring thorough inspections, safety evaluations and control system confirmations.
Since the war began, Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae has finalized a $40 billion reactor agreement with the United States, established a nuclear fuel recycling partnership with France, and pledged nuclear cooperation with Indonesia. Japan reactivated the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa facility, the world’s largest nuclear plant, in January.
Renewable sources like solar and wind offer better solutions for energy affordability and security, says Michiyo Miyamoto from the U.S.-based Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis.
Although the Iranian conflict is also increasing consumer and government interest in renewable energy worldwide and in Japan, record-high electricity prices combined with the current emergency are shifting Japanese public sentiment toward nuclear acceptance, she noted.
In South Asia, Bangladesh is hurrying to activate new reactors constructed by Russia’s state nuclear company Rosatom. Officials in Dhaka expect these facilities to contribute 300 megawatts to the national power grid this summer, easing current natural gas shortages.
Vietnam signed an agreement with Moscow in March for two Russian-designed reactors.
The Philippines, which recently announced a national energy emergency, is also considering activating a nuclear facility constructed after the 1973 oil crisis but never operated.
“I hope we learned our lesson,” said Alvie Asuncion-Astronomo from the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute. The Iranian conflict is “providing a needed push for nuclear.”
Rising energy costs and power shortages across Africa, triggered by the Iranian war, are generating public demands for nuclear cooperation and renewed interest in long-term atomic energy strategies, currently underway in over 20 of the continent’s 54 nations.
With Africa viewed as a growing atomic energy market, nuclear-capable countries including the United States, Russia, China, France and South Korea are promoting advanced technologies like small modular reactors (SMRs) as solutions to energy deficits.
These compact reactors offer a less expensive, smaller alternative to full-scale plants.
Supporters promote them as faster options, though projects still require years to complete. Kenya, for example, plans to bring a small modular reactor online in 2034 after beginning the initial phase in 2009.
Last month, Justus Wabuyabo from Kenya’s Nuclear Power and Energy Agency stated that “nuclear energy is no longer a distant aspiration for African countries; it is a strategic necessity.”
At a March summit organized by the U.N.’s nuclear oversight agency, Rwandan President Paul Kagame predicted Africa will become “one of the most important global markets” for smaller reactors in coming years.
Compact reactors, which can provide scalable, low-emission baseline power, are viewed as solutions to Africa’s growing electricity needs, fragile power grids and excessive dependence on imported diesel fuel.
Likewise, Loyiso Tyabashe from the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation said SMRs could “fulfill our strategic objective of positioning South Africa at the forefront of advanced nuclear technologies.”
South Africa, home to the continent’s only operational nuclear plants, wants atomic energy to increase from approximately 5% of its current energy portfolio to 16% by 2040.
These energy disruptions occur amid intensifying competition for African influence between Washington and Moscow.
Russia’s Rosatom is constructing Egypt’s first reactor and maintains cooperation agreements with Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Tanzania and Niger, covering major projects, research facilities, uranium processing plants and training initiatives.
While only Kenya and Ghana have joined an American-led modular reactor program, Washington is attempting to close the gap.
The United States and South Korea hosted a nuclear conference in Nairobi last month. Ryan Taugher from the U.S. State Department said Washington is collaborating with African nations to quickly develop secure and safe civilian nuclear reactors.
Ghana, which aims to start nuclear plant construction in 2027, is seeking international suppliers.
Dangers including meltdowns and improper waste management persist despite growing interest. Nuclear energy development could also provide pathways to nuclear weapons production.
Ayumi Fukakusa from the advocacy organization Friends of the Earth Japan warned that “nuclear is very risky” and will maintain countries’ dependence on imported materials like enriched uranium.
Since nuclear programs require years to establish, governments should concentrate on expanding renewable energy for long-term security, said Rex Amancio from the Global Renewables Alliance.
Bronson from the atomic scientists organization also noted that nuclear facilities become vulnerable during conflicts, pointing to recent cases where reactors were deliberately targeted during the Iranian war and Russia-Ukraine conflict.
“All of this comes into the mix of how we think about energy security,” she explained. “Countries are now weighing those kinds of risks against the other risks, which Asia and Africa are seeing first and foremost, about what happens when gas and oil stops.”
