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2025 Marks The Dawn Of A New Nuclear Age, With China Leading The Charge

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 16, 2025

Nuclear power is set to reach unprecedented levels in 2025, expected to contribute nearly 10% of the world’s electricity. As the global energy map shifts, China is poised to take center stage in the nuclear sector, surpassing traditional leaders like the United States and France, according to a recent report from the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Key Highlights

The global nuclear landscape is undergoing a dramatic transformation, with over 70 gigawatts of new nuclear capacity under construction – one of the highest volumes in three decades. The IEA’s report, “The Road to a New Era for Nuclear Energy,” reveals that nuclear electricity production reached 2,742 terawatt hours (TWh) in 2023, and is set to climb to 2,900 TWh in 2025. This surge is largely driven by the electrification of industries, air conditioning needs, and the rapid rise of electric vehicles and data centers powering artificial intelligence.

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As of 2023, more than 410 nuclear reactors were operational across 30+ countries, marking a significant shift in energy generation on a global scale.

A New Nuclear Era

“We are entering a new era for nuclear energy,” says IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol, noting that by 2025, nuclear power generation will hit its highest level in history. This recovery marks a sharp contrast to the aftermath of the 2011 Fukushima disaster, which led to a sharp decline in nuclear energy investment. The rebound is being led by China, which has started 25 of the 52 nuclear reactor projects globally since 2017.

In contrast, nations like the US and France have seen a slowdown in nuclear development, primarily due to the sky-high costs associated with plant construction. As Birol points out, “The global geography of nuclear power is shifting,” with China set to surpass both the US and Europe in nuclear energy production within five years.

Europe And The US Struggling To Keep Up

Historically, the US and Europe have been nuclear powerhouses. However, nuclear energy’s share of electricity production has dropped significantly in these regions. In Europe, nuclear’s contribution has fallen from 35% in the 1990s to under 25% today, and the IEA predicts it could drop below 15% in the next decade. The US faces a similar decline. The slow pace of nuclear project completion and skyrocketing costs, now 2.5 times the initial projections, have hampered efforts to keep up with China’s rapid expansion.

Concentration Of Power

Another significant challenge facing the nuclear sector is the concentration of supply chains. Over 99% of the global uranium enrichment capacity is controlled by just four players: China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), Russia’s Rosatom, the Urenco consortium, and France’s Orano. This consolidation of power, especially Russia’s control of 40% of the market, raises concerns about the geopolitical risks surrounding nuclear energy.

The Rise Of Small Modular Reactors

Despite these hurdles, the nuclear industry is adapting. One promising development is the rise of small modular reactors (SMRs). These compact, versatile units are gaining traction worldwide – from China to Europe, the US, and Canada. Birol forecasts that within 15 years, the cost of SMRs will be competitive with large-scale wind and hydro projects. These smaller reactors are especially appealing to tech companies and industries reliant on uninterrupted, 24/7 electricity, such as those powering AI and data centers.

Looking Ahead

The IEA outlines three potential scenarios for the future, each predicting significant growth in nuclear capacity. By 2050, global nuclear power could increase by more than 50%, reaching nearly 650 gigawatts (GW), or even double with the right government support.

Since 1971, nuclear energy has prevented the release of 72 gigatonnes of CO2 emissions, underscoring its role in reducing reliance on fossil fuels. While the lion’s share of progress toward net-zero emissions will come from renewables like solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal energy, Birol stresses that nuclear energy will be a key component of a balanced, sustainable energy strategy.

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Europe’s Deadly Summer Heat Exposed The Cost Of A Warming Continent

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 23, 2026

Europe experienced its deadliest summer for heat-related deaths on record in 2026, with an estimated 24,400 excess deaths linked to extreme temperatures across 30 countries. Researchers estimate that human-induced climate change was responsible for around 32,000 of the deaths attributed to heat in the study’s broader analysis, accounting for 65% of the total.

The findings highlight the growing public-health consequences of global warming, largely driven by fossil fuel use, as extreme heat becomes more frequent and severe.

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A Summer Of Dangerous Heat

Between June and August, heatwaves pushed temperatures in Western Europe to an average of 2.9°C above the 1991–2020 norm, with some days reaching 12°C above average. Nearly a third of estimated heat-related deaths occurred during a particularly intense heatwave between 17 June and 1 July.

“These numbers are a stark reminder that our hotter, more extreme summers are having an increasingly severe impact on public health,” said Dr Clair Barnes, a researcher at Imperial College London and co-author of the study.

The estimated toll exceeded previous peaks of around 29,000 deaths in summer 2022 and 28,000 in 2003 across the region studied.

How Researchers Estimated The Toll

Researchers modelled the relationship between temperature and mortality across 854 urban areas in the EU, UK, Norway and Switzerland, covering around 40% of the population in the 30 countries studied.

The analysis incorporated temperature records, age, socioeconomic conditions, environmental factors and access to healthcare. By comparing actual temperatures with those expected without human-induced warming, the team estimated the additional deaths attributable to climate change.

Final official mortality figures for summer 2026 are not yet available in many countries, and heat-related deaths are often underreported because their effects can be difficult to identify directly.

Older People Face The Greatest Risk

People aged 85 and over accounted for roughly half of the estimated deaths. However, the impact extended across age groups, with around 800 excess deaths among adults aged 20–44 and approximately 6,000 among people under 65.

Southern Europe experienced the highest mortality burden, reflecting hotter temperatures and other vulnerabilities, including air pollution, limited green space and unequal access to healthcare and heat-alert systems.

Italy, France And Spain Record Highest Toll

Italy recorded an estimated 13,303 heat-related excess deaths, followed by France with 7,268 and Spain with 6,824. Germany recorded around 6,340, while the UK saw an estimated 4,354 deaths.

In the UK, the heat also placed significant pressure on healthcare services. Andrew Hartle, Professor of Practice of Anaesthesia at Imperial College Healthcare, said demand during the summer resembled that of a severe winter virus season.

Cities Urged To Strengthen Heat Protection

Researchers say cities can reduce the risks through climate shelters, external shading and building retrofits, alongside measures to help residents avoid exposure during the hottest hours. Checking on vulnerable people, staying hydrated and following heat alerts are also important.

The researchers stress that adaptation must go hand in hand with reducing fossil fuel use to limit further warming. The findings underline that extreme heat is already a major public-health threat across Europe, with thousands of lives at risk each summer.