Approach:

Introduction: Mention some stats and recent context.

Body:  Mention how power generation is on the path of revival and also concerns still existing to limit nuclear power adoption.

Conclusion: Provide solutions around war forward in the energy sector.

Answer.  

Nuclear power plants produce more than one-quarter of all low-carbon electricity while avoiding 70 Gigatonnes of CO2 emissions in the last five years. Thus nuclear power is preferred over fossil fuels.

Recently, nuclear power is showing signs of revival as Europe, facing threats to the supply of Russian gas and crude oil, is realising its importance. Even Germany, earlier on the phase-out of nuclear energy, is extending the lifespan of its last three plants.

Even Japan recovering from the Fukushima Disaster is reversing its stance by extending the lifespan of its reactors.

Power generation through nuclear energy is on the path of revival:

• Declining interest in coal - Developed countries call for the coal phase-out in climate conferences with no carbon emissions from nuclear plants leading to their promotion.
• Issues in fossil fuel supply: Ukraine war led to disruption of the supply of natural gas and high crude oil prices thus moving Europe towards nuclear energy.

Example: France boosting nuclear share from 15 to 30 per cent. China and India are also building new reactors.

• Investments in small modular reactors are rising to decrease initial huge costs as well as accident risks. Example- floating Akademik Lomonosov in Russian Far East.
• Stable base power to the economy unlike high variability of renewables. Need to balance nuclear and renewables. Example- UAE utilising large solar panels as well as energy from Barakah nuclear plant.
• Subsidisation of plants at risk of closing down. Example- USA making 6 billion dollars available towards plants failing financially.

However, there are still concerns about energy generation through the Nuclear route:

• Accidents can turn too risky. Example- Fukushima, risks of radiation affecting generations.
• Environmental risks of disposing of radioactive nuclear waste.
• Large cost overruns in new projects in Europe and the USA as construction of large plants require decades with no utility to limit emissions by 2030.
• Alternatives: Cleaner and safer renewables like solar can be backed by batteries to be a better alternative, Example- international efforts like International Solar Alliance, India’s focus on One Sun One World One Grid.
• Focus on newer fuels which are cleaner as well as more efficient like green hydrogen, biofuels etc.

To tackle the risk of accidents and dispose of waste more safely, countries should collaborate to come up with common safer standards and ensure implementation for the safe use of nuclear energy.

There should be a multi-stakeholder approach to tackle global warming by promoting multiple alternatives such as solar, wind, hydel, green hydrogen etc. Together these can help the world move towards net zero emission targets.