Why the climate crisis demands a return to nuclear energy

Despite significant investments in renewable energy, global emissions continue to rise, and energy security challenges persist. While renewable energy is essential in addressing the climate crisis, its limitations have become evident: the realities of intermittency, escalating demand for electricity, and the need for deep industrial decarbonisation highlight that renewables alone cannot carry the load.

For decades, the energy debate has been polarised by preferences for specific technologies rather than pragmatic solutions. The allure of renewables like wind and solar has captivated policymakers and investors, resulting in more than $600 billion in global investments in 2023 alone. Yet despite these efforts, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), renewables account for only 14.4 per cent of global energy consumption, while fossil fuels - coal, oil, and gas - still dominate at more than 70 per cent.

Germany provides a cautionary tale. Despite significant renewable capacity, the country remains Europe's largest coal consumer, particularly during periods of low wind. In 2022, Germany saw a 10 per cent increase in coal consumption after shutting down its remaining nuclear plants.

Australia also exemplifies the challenges of relying primarily on renewables. With over 30 per cent of its electricity now coming from wind and solar, the country is a leader in renewable adoption. Yet, the intermittent nature of these technologies has left Australia dependent on gas and coal to firm its grid. In 2023, during a prolonged wind drought in South Australia, the state relied heavily on gas-fired power plants to avoid blackouts.

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has warned that without firm, dispatchable energy sources, the grid will struggle to maintain reliability as coal plants retire. Battery storage, while promising, remains costly and limited in scale. The IEA estimates that the global capacity for grid-scale batteries would need to increase by 44 times to store just one day's worth of global electricity demand. According to BloombergNEF, all the lithium-ion batteries deployed globally could store only 15 minutes of the world's electricity demand.

As global electricity demand is set to soar - driven by the electrification of transport, heating, and industrial processes, as well as the explosive growth of data centres and AI technologies - renewables are not enough. The IEA estimates a 70 per cent increase in electricity demand by 2050, requiring a massive expansion of generation capacity.

Unlike renewables, nuclear energy provides consistent, low-carbon baseload power. Its ability to rapidly reduce emissions is well-documented:

Critics often point to nuclear's high upfront costs and long construction timelines. However, new technologies like small modular reactors (SMRs) are addressing these concerns. SMRs promise shorter build times, reduced costs, and enhanced safety features. Poland is investing in SMRs as part of its energy transition strategy, and the UK has committed to building Rolls-Royce-designed SMRs, which could be operational by the early 2030s.

But technological improvements alone won't suffice. Governments must have the courage to support nuclear energy through streamlined regulations, financial incentives like tax breaks or green bonds, and clear communication about its safety and environmental benefits.

The United States is demonstrating a proactive approach to nuclear. By investing in advanced reactor technologies, extending the life of existing plants, and funding nuclear innovation projects, the US is ensuring energy security and reliability

The numbers speak for themselves: greenhouse gas concentrations reached 420 ppm in 2023, a 51 per cent increase since 1750. From 2014-2023, sea levels rose at an accelerating rate of 4.77mm per year, threatening millions of coastal residents. In 2024, the global mean temperature was 1.54 degrees Celcius above pre-industrial levels, inching closer to the Paris Agreement threshold.

The urgency of the climate crisis leaves no room for ideological preferences.

Betting exclusively on wind and solar risks both energy insecurity and failure to meet decarbonisation targets. The WMO State of the Climate 2024 update is a stark reminder that time is running out.

To limit warming, protect communities, and ensure sustainable development, we need to abandon narrow thinking and embrace a truly inclusive approach to the energy transition.