PRESS RELEASE
Movement for Nuclear Power
Continues To Grow
Jan. 13, 2010 (EIRNS)—In the wake of its spectacular $24 billion deal with the United Arab Emirates, three weeks ago, for construction of four nuclear power reactors, South Korea has launched an international offensive to increase such exports, with negotiations already underway with Jordan, Romania, Turkey, and Ukraine.
At the same time, the Libyan government announced on Jan. 6 that it intends to activate agreements signed with France, Russia, and Canada for development of nuclear power, for power generation and water desalination. And even in a post-nuclear-oriented Germany, Siemens has applied to the government for Hermes export credit guarantees in the range of EU1.4 billion, for completion of Brazil's Angra-3 reactor—a project which has lain idle since the early 1980s. If Brazil remains committed to resuming nuclear power development, Siemens has an option of building five more reactors, contracts for which were signed with the Brazilians in 1975.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a total of 374 nuclear plants are either scheduled or already under construction worldwide, at the present time. This is expected to create an investment/export market worth up to $935 billion, the IAEA's recent report said. That would more than double the power supplied by nuclear technology, which is still less than 6% of all available power sources, worldwide.
To date, 210 nuclear power complexes, many of them with several reactors, are operating globally, with a total of 438 reactors. Europe (or rather, Western Eurasia, on the IAEA map) is the most-nuclearized continent, with 197 reactors, followed by 128 in the Americas, and 112 in Asia. Africa has only two reactors, both in South Africa. In Europe, France is the leading nuclear nation, with 58 reactors, followed by Russia with 31. In the Americas, the U.S. has 104 reactors, followed by Canada with 18. In Asia, Japan has 55 reactors, South Korea 20, India 17, and China 11, but rapid increases are planned.
