Unlocking Potential Together
Why Nuclear and Why Now?
Clean
Nuclear energy is a cornerstone of global low-carbon electricity production generating around 10% of the world's electricity and nearly 25% of low-carbon power. In the United States, it contributes approximately 20% of total electricity and nearly 50% of clean energy. Compared to renewables, nuclear power offers unmatched reliability, operating at a capacity factor of over 92%, significantly higher than wind (35%) and solar (25%). Life-cycle emissions from nuclear are comparable to renewables, at about 12 grams of CO2 equivalent per kilowatt-hour, far lower than coal (820 gCO2/kWh) or natural gas (490 gCO2/kWh). Globally, over 440 reactors prevent nearly 2.5 gigatons of CO2 annually—equivalent to removing about 500 million cars from the road.
High Energy Density
Uranium’s remarkable energy density is a cornerstone of nuclear energy's efficiency. A single uranium fuel pellet, roughly the size of a fingertip, contains as much energy as one ton of coal, 149 gallons of oil, or 17,000 cubic feet of natural gas. This makes uranium an incredibly compact and powerful energy source, essential for sustaining nuclear reactors that generate large-scale electricity with minimal resource consumption​. Due to this extremely high energy density, the amount of raw materials required to produce the same amount of energy compared to fossil fuels or renewables is extremely low. The critical minerals required for renewables is not only extremely high compared to nuclear energy, but many of the mineral deposits are within foreign jurisdictions that are western adversaries raising the geopolitical risk of these geoconcentrated supply chains. Globally, the efficient use of uranium is bolstered by advancements in reactor designs and fuel recycling. Modern reactors can extract significant energy from uranium, and some technologies, such as fast reactors, are designed to use it even more efficiently by utilizing depleted uranium and plutonium byproducts. These innovations reduce waste and further enhance uranium’s utility as a high-density energy source​.
Reliable Energy
Nuclear energy is a key provider of reliable base load power. Reactors operate consistently regardless of external conditions like weather or time of day. With a global capacity of around 390 GWe across approximately 440 reactors, nuclear plants deliver electricity with a capacity factor exceeding 92%, significantly outpacing other energy sources such as coal, wind, and solar. This reliability is critical for maintaining grid stability, especially as the demand for energy grows and intermittent renewables become more prevalent. The integration of high levels of variable renewables necessitates additional grid infrastructure and balancing measures, which are very costly. Additionally, the variability of renewables requires backup capacity to avoid service disruptions, which is often met by fossil fuels. Nuclear energy’s ability to operate continuously for 18-24 months between refueling cycles highlights its efficiency and dependability​. Moreover, advanced reactor technologies, including small modular reactors (SMRs), are set to enhance grid flexibility by pairing with renewables, further solidifying nuclear’s role as a stable and indispensable energy source.
Low Land Use
Nuclear energy requires significantly less land compared to other energy sources, which is a crucial advantage for sustainable development. A typical nuclear plant can produce the same amount of electricity as thousands of acres of solar panels or wind turbines but occupies only a fraction of the space. For example, a 1,000 MW nuclear plant uses about 1-4 square kilometers, while wind farms of the same capacity might need up to 360 square kilometers. This minimal land use allows nuclear facilities to be located closer to urban areas, reducing transmission losses and preserving natural ecosystems. Additionally, the compact footprint leaves more land available for agriculture, wildlife conservation, and other community uses. This efficiency contributes to climate goals by reducing habitat disruption and enabling high-density, low-carbon power production.
Affordable
Nuclear energy is highly competitive economically especially over the long term, due to its low operational costs and stability. While the upfront construction costs for nuclear plants are significant, their ongoing costs are among the lowest for major energy sources, primarily because fuel costs are a small fraction of total expenses. The levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for nuclear energy is competitive with fossil fuels and renewables, particularly when accounting for its consistent output and 92% capacity factor. For communities and electric grids, nuclear energy provides substantial cost savings by reducing the need for backup systems and grid investments required to manage the intermittency of renewables. Furthermore, the longevity of nuclear plants, often exceeding 60 years with modern upgrades, ensures decades of low-cost, stable electricity generation, benefiting both consumers and local economies.
Safe
Nuclear energy is among the safest energy sources supported by rigorous safety protocols and minimal health impacts. Its carbon emissions are near zero during operation, significantly reducing pollutants that harm public health. When comparing mortality rates per terawatt-hour (TWh) of electricity, nuclear energy averages around 0.07 deaths, far lower than coal (24.62), oil (18.43), and natural gas (2.82). Even renewables such as wind and solar have slightly higher rates, approximately 0.04 and 0.02 deaths per TWh, primarily from manufacturing and accidents. Nuclear energy’s safety is also assured through a combination of strict regulations, advanced reactor designs, and continuous monitoring. Regulatory bodies like the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) enforce stringent safety standards for reactor design, operation, and maintenance. These include rigorous safety drills, such as regular emergency response exercises and the creation of safety zones around reactors. Additionally, modern reactors feature passive safety systems that automatically shut down or cool the reactor in emergencies. The regulatory framework also includes comprehensive waste management and decommissioning protocols to protect public health and the environment​.
Waste Management
Nuclear energy is unique in its comprehensive waste management practices where the costs of handling and storing nuclear waste are factored into the energy price, ensuring full accountability. Spent nuclear fuel, which is safely stored in dry casks or planned deep geological repositories, has relatively low radioactivity after several decades. In fact, the radioactivity levels of nuclear waste decrease to levels comparable to the everyday radiation emitted by a standard cell phone within a few hundred years. Additionally, while renewables like solar and wind seem clean, their waste—such as toxic chemicals from batteries and heavy metals from solar panels—pose significant environmental hazards and health risks. Unlike nuclear, these forms of waste are often not fully accounted for or recycled, making them a hidden environmental cost​.
Industrial Applications
Nuclear reactors are versatile with high-temperature designs offering industrial applications beyond power generation. Advanced reactors, such as high-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs) and molten salt reactors, can reach temperatures exceeding 750°C, far higher than traditional reactors. These elevated temperatures enable nuclear to be used for industrial processes like hydrogen production, synthetic fuels, and ammonia synthesis—critical for sectors like transportation, agriculture, and petrochemicals. The ability to generate large quantities of high-temperature heat makes nuclear an ideal solution for decarbonizing hard-to-abate industries, offering a pathway to reduce carbon emissions in non-electric sectors.
Energy Return on Investment
Nuclear energy's has the one of the highest Energy Return on Investment (EROI) compared to other energy sources and is a critical factor in understanding its long-term value. The operational efficiency of nuclear power is high, with modern reactors producing electricity consistently over extended periods. Typically, nuclear plants have an EROI of about 10:1, meaning for every unit of energy invested in constructing and operating a plant, around 10 units of energy are generated. This is higher than many renewable energy sources, which can have an EROI of less than 10:1, especially when factoring in intermittent generation like solar and wind. The efficiency of nuclear power makes it a highly valuable investment over the lifespan of a reactor, with reactors running for several decades—often between 40 to 60 years. Moreover, nuclear reactors are economically robust, with low operational costs relative to the initial capital investment. The Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) for nuclear is often comparable to other low-carbon sources, with prices ranging from $40 to $60 per MWh, while renewables like wind and solar can sometimes be cheaper, but their intermittency and grid dependency add hidden costs. Over time, nuclear energy provides stable pricing, which can be a major advantage for countries or regions looking to stabilize energy prices and reduce reliance on volatile fossil fuel markets. While upfront costs are significant, the long operational lifespan, reliable energy output, and relatively low ongoing fuel costs make nuclear a sound economic investment. Furthermore, nuclear power contributes to the grid’s overall stability, ensuring consistent electricity generation in ways that intermittent renewables cannot match​. In contrast, the integration of renewables such as wind and solar requires additional infrastructure like storage systems to manage variability, which increases costs and decreases their net EROI. As such, nuclear energy remains a cornerstone for energy security and economic stability, particularly when the total cost of ownership—including waste management, decommissioning, and long-term sustainability—is considered.