The time is now to shape the future

World Nuclear Association Director General Dr Sama Bilbao y León reflects on leading the nuclear industry into a period of expansion, partnerships with new sectors and meeting the needs of the clean energy transformation in an increasingly energy hungry world.

Collaboration is essential: Unless we succeed together, we may fail separately

COP29, held in November 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan, resulted in significant achievements through global collaboration: Developed countries committed $300 billion per year towards the new climate finance target that aims to mobilise $1.3 trillion annually by 2035; and progress was made towards the establishment of a global carbon market framework, ensuring environmental integrity and human rights protection.

Indeed, collaboration is essential in addressing multinational, multigenerational and multigender challenges like climate change or energy poverty because they transcend borders, generations, and social groups. Effective solutions require the pooling of diverse perspectives, resources, and expertise from around the world. By working together, countries, communities, and organisations can share innovation, best practices, and resources, so we can eradicate these problems in a sustainable, timely, cost-effective, and equitable manner.

Digital and nuclear: A mighty partnership

For nuclear energy, this COP contributed to accelerate the momentum we have seen for the last year or so, with six more countries joining a coalition of the ambitious to triple global nuclear capacity by 2050, and with numerous energy-intensive sectors calling on nuclear energy to support their decarbonisation efforts by producing 24/7 energy in the form of electricity or heat.

In particular, big technology companies are increasingly partnering with nuclear energy providers to power data centres, anticipating increased electricity demand from the AI revolution. Nuclear energy is essential to providing the abundant and stable 24/7 carbon-free electricity for digital technology. Many of these companies are also investing in innovative nuclear technology and capitalising on the promise of AI and digital technologies to accelerate the development, and to optimise the way we operate and maintain the current nuclear fleet.

Beyond the digital sector, the manufacturing, paper, metallurgical, and chemical sectors are considering nuclear energy for reliable, affordable energy to meet net-zero goals. The oil and gas industry are assessing how nuclear energy can decarbonise emissions in exploration, extraction, refining, and processing. While the shipping sector is working to streamline the introduction of civil nuclear propulsion and carbon-free fuels to achieve sustainability targets.

Energy Policies: Moving from goals to action

The transformation towards a clean energy system requires a technology-agnostic and ambitious energy policy framework that incentivises innovation and investment.

Policymakers worldwide are adopting pragmatic, science-based policies that balance environmental priorities with socio-economic development and prosperity for everyone everywhere. They understand that policies need well-thought-out implementation plans and industrial strategies to deliver their goals.

To triple global nuclear capacity, government leadership and inclusion of nuclear in energy and industrial policies are crucial. This signals the need for investment in uranium exploration, supply chains, construction capabilities, and workforce. Progressive policies will provide a mandate and resources for regulators streamline processes and collaborate internationally. Governments should develop incentives for affordable nuclear financing and overhaul energy markets to value clean energy attributes, ensuring robust, reliable, and cost-effective systems, as well incentivising long term investment in generation and transmission infrastructure.

These policies create a conducive environment for the growth of the nuclear industry, encouraging public and private investments.

India as an energy leader

India and the world need abundant, affordable clean energy to lift people out of poverty and provide sufficient electricity for prosperity. India’s per capita energy consumption is currently below that of developed nations. The energy transformation must prioritise increasing energy access in the global south, channelling finance not just for clean energy but for socio-economic development.

The Indian nuclear power programme is on the upswing, with expansion of the indigenous PHWR programme and imported LWRs also under construction, while SMRs can repower existing coal fired plants. Nuclear energy can contribute, in a major way, towards India achieving decarbonisation and development goals. India also aims to triple its nuclear capacity by the 2030s.

India Energy Week 2025 will focus on themes reflecting the country’s commitment to a sustainable energy future, emphasising collaboration, innovation, and solutions to drive the energy transition. These themes align with the global nuclear industry’s goal of providing greater access to sustainable, secure, and affordable energy. World Nuclear Association will highlight the global nuclear industry’s role in providing sustainable, secure, and affordable energy. By working together and leveraging technology, we can create a resilient energy future.