REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, NAIROBI \u2013 The energy crisis triggered by the war\nbetween the United States (US) and Israel with Iran is pushing several\nnon-nuclear countries to consider that emission-free energy source. The\nwar has cut energy supplies, particularly in Asia and Africa.<\/p>\n
The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a route for one-fifth of global\noil trade and one of the world\u2019s main gas trade routes, has driven up\nenergy prices. This is prompting countries in Asia and Africa that\nalready have nuclear power plants (NPPs) to increase their\nproduction.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, non-nuclear countries are accelerating plans to build NPPs\nto secure energy supplies amid rising volatility in fossil fuel prices.\nHowever, experts warn that nuclear power is not a quick solution to the\nenergy crisis.<\/p>\n
Senior researcher at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), Joshua\nKurlantzick, stated that it takes decades to build an NPP, especially\nfor countries that have never had one. However, NPPs can be a long-term\nstep to maintain energy supplies.<\/p>\n
The US-Iran conflict is pushing South Korea to increase its NPP\nproduction. Meanwhile, Taiwan is considering reactivating its\ndecommissioned NPPs.<\/p>\n
African countries are also planning to build NPPs. Kenya, Rwanda, and\nSouth Africa are at the forefront of these plans.<\/p>\n
Nuclear energy is produced by harnessing the energy released when an\natomic nucleus (usually using the element uranium) splits into smaller\nparts. This atomic nucleus splitting process is called fission.<\/p>\n
Unlike fossil fuels that release carbon dioxide when burned, nuclear\nenergy produces no carbon emissions. This makes it one of the energy\nsources that does not worsen climate change.<\/p>\n
Although clean in terms of air emissions, the nuclear process\nproduces radioactive waste that can be highly dangerous to living beings\nand the environment over a very long period. This radioactive waste is\nthe main reason many countries reject NPPs.<\/p>\n
Senior advisor at the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Rachel\nBronson, said the US-Israel war with Iran is accelerating what she calls\na \u201cnuclear enlightenment\u201d. Because the war makes many countries aware of\nthe risks of the fossil fuel market.<\/p>\n
Based on data from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),\nthere are currently 31 countries using nuclear energy that provides\naround 10 percent of global electricity. About 40 other countries are\nconsidering or preparing to build NPPs.<\/p>\n
Several countries in Asia, including Indonesia, are choosing to\nincrease coal use or buy crude oil from Russia to address the energy\ncrisis. However, countries that already have NPPs are choosing to\nincrease their nuclear energy production.<\/p>\n
South Korea is increasing production from NPPs and accelerating\nmaintenance on five inactive reactors. Those five reactors are planned\nto be reactivated in May.<\/p>\n
Taiwan and Japan are lifting the NPP bans implemented after the 2011\nFukushima NPP disaster. Taiwan plans to start reactivating two of their\nnuclear reactors.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/energy-crisis-forces-non-nuclear-countries-to-consider-nuclear-power-plants-1776498646", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }