Is this nuclear power’s moment?
Is this nuclear power’s moment?
Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.
The nuclear power industry is receiving a lot of attention recently thanks in part to new technological advancements. That’s excited venture capital groups and private investors, such as Bill Gates and OpenAI’s Sam Altman. But the industry is also known for its boom-and-bust cycles. The FT’s US energy editor Jamie Smyth explains there are many challenges that lie ahead for an industry, which has long been plagued by controversy.
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For further reading:
The US plan to break Russia’s grip on nuclear fuel
US nuclear start-ups battle funding challenge in race to curb emissions
Nuclear fission start-up backed by Sam Altman to go public
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On X, follow Jamie Smyth ( @JamieSmythF) and Michela Tindera ( @mtindera07), or follow Michela on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more.
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
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Related Knowledge Center: ENERGY BASICS: nuclear
Nuclear energy provides almost 20 percent of the U.S. electricity supply. Advocates have called for an expanded role for nuclear as an emissions-free fuel source. But the economics of building new reactors are daunting. In addition, lingering safety concerns are an institutionalized part of the calculation of nuclear regulation, and highly radioactive nuclear waste remains a can that public officials have been inclined to kick down the road. The Energy Information Administration projects a sharp decline in nuclear power generation over the next decade, as new nuclear plants — two are planned — are more than offset by anticipated retirements of several operating reactors.