IAEA Projects Substantial Expansion of Nuclear Energy

From NucNet:

Medium-term projections point to the possibility of “a substantial expansion” in the use of nuclear energy, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said in its annual report for 2006.

The Vienna-based agency said that for the first time projections also recognise that nuclear energy would mitigate the discharge of carbon into the atmosphere, since energy produced from fossil fuels accounts for about half of human-made greenhouse gases.

The IAEA also referred to projections from the International Energy Agency (IEA), which show that global energy consumption could increase by 53 percent by 2030. Approximately 70 percent of this growth is likely to come from developing countries.

The IAEA says it has established a ‘Nuclear Power Support Group’ to provide coordinated support to member states considering the introduction or expansion of nuclear power.

For a copy of the report, click here.

UPDATE: Link fixed.