Nuclear Energy: Facts Against Myths

The geopolitical framework and the energy policy environment have changed significantly with the Russian war of aggression. The war in Ukraine is a drastic reminder of the enormous potential danger posed by nuclear power plants in armed conflicts. 

Paradoxically, various interest groups are now trying to propagate nuclear power as a solution to the crises triggered by the Russian war of aggression. In addition, more and more countries are focusing on nuclear energy as an option to achieve their long-term climate protection targets. Various countries want to massively expand nuclear power while asking for advantages and benefits and presenting nuclear power as environmentally and climate-friendly.

Hype concerning Small Modular Reactors (SMR)

The gap between political announcements and public perception on the one hand and reality on the other is widening more and more. This also applies to the hype concerning Small Modular Reactors (SMR). 

No nuclear renaissance in sight

At the World Climate Conference 2023, several countries announced a tripling of nuclear power generation capacity by 2050. This is completely unrealistic or even unfeasible, if only because of the lack of human and industrial capacities, the limited number of available reactor types, the long lead and construction times, as well as the high costs associated with building nuclear power plants.

The fact is that the share of nuclear power in the global electricity mix is continuously declining (to 9% in 2024), while the share of renewables is rising sharply. Only China and Russia are building new reactors. One cannot speak of a nuclear renaissance, as is so often claimed. This is confirmed by the current World Nuclear Industry Status Report.

While many reactors have reached the end of their planned operating lifetimes, the nuclear sector, at least in Europe, has a massive financing problem. It is evident that the industry itself is not willing to bear the risks associated with nuclear energy – and for good reason.

Future without fossil fuels and nuclear energy

Renewable energy from the sun, wind, water, and biomass is available to us as climate-friendly and affordable alternatives. The goal is to obtain 100 percent clean green electricity in Austria by 2030. A future without fossil fuels and without nuclear energy is possible.

Investments in renewable energy, storage technologies, and energy efficiency are needed to advance a sustainable and lower-risk energy transition.

We counter the claims and promises (fairy tales and myths) made in the debate about nuclear energy with fact-based information (fact checks).