Nuclear power generation capacity will increase globally by at least 28%
to 500 gigawatts in 2035 from 390GW in 2010, even if plans to build new
nuclear power plants are delayed by safety concerns due to the
Fukushima Daiichi accident, the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan
said Tuesday.
In its new annual energy outlook, the think tank predicted
some countries including China, India, France, Russia
and the U.S. will "keep expanding or maintain nuclear power generation
for the medium to long term" to diversify energy sources, combat global
warming and sustain economic growth.
Global electricity demand will continue to increase, leading
to greater use of fossil fuels, producing as much as 2 billion metric
tons, or up to 7%, more carbon dioxide in 2035 than a scenario in which
nuclear power plans aren't delayed, the report said.
After the Fukushima Daiichi accident in March, Germany decided
to move away from nuclear power generation. Japan's new Prime Minister
Yoshihiko Noda said in August that he will phase out nuclear power by
not building new reactors.