Nuclear energy thrives in Asia

Abstract

Nuclear power may have stopped growing throughout much of the world, but it is alive and thriving in Asia. Many Asian nations see nuclear power as one way to satisfy their growing power demands and reduce their dependence on other nations for imported fuels; nuclear power is also valued for simple prestige. But nuclear energy is expensive to develop, competes with independent power producers, and is very controversial because of concerns over safety and weapons proliferation. Countries such as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China, and India plan to expand their already substantial nuclear power programs. Others, such as Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Vietnam, hope to either launch new programs or expand small ones. A few have ruled out the idea completely. Generation of nuclear power will therefore grow in Asia, although not as fast as power from other sources. Some nations under-estimate the cost, controversy, and complexity of nuclear power; those unwilling to develop nuclear power safely should not do it at all.