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IN BRIEF
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THE energy shock triggered by the war in Iran pushes many states ofAsia andAfrica to review their electric mix and to turn more towards the nuclearFaced with disruptions to oil routes and soaring gas prices, countries already using nuclear power are increasing the output of their reactors, while new entrants are accelerating long-term projects to protect themselves against future shocks. Far from being an immediate solution, building a nuclear energy sector could take decades, but current commitments risk permanently integrating this energy source into future energy mixes. Nuclear power offers the advantage of not emitting… carbon dioxide, while raising the delicate question of radioactive wasteThis explains the caution of several governments. Today, something 31 countries produce atomic electricity — about 10% of global production — and about forty others are planning or preparing power plants, reflecting a notable acceleration of nuclear ambitions on a global scale.
Summary — The conflict in Iran has triggered a global energy shock which is driving many states toAsia andAfrica to rethink their electricity mix. In the short term, countries already possessing reactors are increasing their production to secure their supplies; in the long term, several non-nuclear nations are accelerating nuclear projects to reduce their vulnerability to fluctuations in hydrocarbon prices. This movement, described as nuclear renaissance by observers, responds to both energy security imperatives and climate objectives, but it raises major technical, economic and environmental challenges.
A global energy shock triggered by the war in Iran
Disruptions to shipping routes and increased oil and gas prices linked to the conflict have primarily affected the region’s major import areas, particularly theAsia, closely followed by theAfricaThe economic consequences are visible: increased energy costs for households and industries, inflationary pressures and an incentive to seek alternatives.
Recent analyses detail these dynamics and explain why some countries are reconsidering their energy strategies. For an overview of regional tensions and responses, see in particular the report published by Les Echos and the full report from Euronews.
Immediate responses and short-term strategies
Countries already equipped with nuclear power plants are seeking to extract more electricity from their existing facilities to alleviate short-term supply tensions. Maintenance operations are being accelerated, and reactors that have been shut down are having their restarts brought forward to meet demand.
In Asia, for example, the South Korea decided to increase the output of its reactors and accelerate the restart of several units, highlighting the desire to leverage proven capabilities to limit the impact of the shock. Regarding the short-term choices of Asian governments and the warnings from financial institutions, the report of IMF provides useful insight.
Acceleration of nuclear projects among new entrants
Faced with volatile hydrocarbon markets, several countries that did not yet have a nuclear industry are putting long-term plans into action. If thenuclear energy While not an instant solution — building a national sector can take decades — the decisions made today will have a lasting impact on the future energy mix.
African nations such as Kenya, THE Rwanda and theSouth Africa have reaffirmed their interest in reactor construction, confirming a trend observed by several local and international observers. Reports and analyses on the renewed enthusiasm for nuclear power in Africa are available on EuropeSays And Africanews.
Timeframes, costs, and technological dependencies
New entrants must contend with lengthy construction timelines, massive investments, and the need to acquire technical expertise and navigate robust regulatory frameworks.International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) estimates that approximately 31 countries are already exploiting thenuclear energyrepresenting nearly 10% of global electricity production, while around forty others are considering the technology or preparing projects.
Environmental and safety issues
L’nuclear energy releases electricity without direct emissions of carbon dioxideThis makes it an attractive tool for reconciling energy security and climate objectives. However, the management of radioactive waste and the risks of accidents remain major cautionary factors that hinder social and political acceptance in several countries.
Expert voices emphasize that the nuclear revival must be accompanied by strict planning, robust safety infrastructure, and a transparent governance framework. Rachel Bronson, of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, speaks of a kind of “nuclear renaissance” linked to the need for alternatives to fossil fuel markets, but it also highlights the need for rigorous risk management.
Regional cases and national initiatives
Reactions vary according to national and regional contexts. In Asia, some countries are seeking to diversify their energy supplies immediately, including through increased reliance on coal and opportunistic hydrocarbon purchases, while others are placing greater emphasis on nuclear power for the future. Regional analyses provide valuable insights into these strategies; see, in particular, Southeast Asia.
Asia: South Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam
There South Korea This illustrates the trend towards optimizing existing resources: increased production and accelerated maintenance of reactors that have been shut down in order to restart them quickly. TaiwanThe public and political debate has reignited around the restart of reactors that had been shut down. The case of Vietnam also shows the dual dynamic of a transition towards electrification to improve air quality and an increased interest in reliable long-term energy solutions; articles on the electric transition and sustainable mobility in Vietnam explore these issues (Southeast Asia, Southeast Asia – mobility).
Africa: New projects and a reaffirmation of ambitions
In AfricaSeveral governments are reaffirming their interest in nuclear power as a means of ensuring a energy security in the long term and to support industrial development. Official positions and analyses from the region show a desire to acquire nuclear capacity, but also an awareness of the regulatory, financial, and technical challenges. For an overview of developments in Africa, consult the summaries published by EuropeSays And Africanews.
Economic, geopolitical and industrial impacts
On the economic front, the surge in energy prices caused by the conflict has spurred emergency purchases and changes in energy policy. Fossil fuel importing countries, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, are under intense pressure, forcing them to make sometimes contradictory choices between short-term (coal, gas purchases) and long-term (investments in nuclear power). IMF warned of macroeconomic risks for the region.
Geopolitically, the increasing number of nuclear projects is altering the networks of influence linked to technology trade, construction agreements, and training partnerships. The technological choices and suppliers selected will have lasting effects on the energy and industrial dependencies of the countries involved.
Perspectives and lessons
The current shock has highlighted the vulnerability of fossil fuel supplies and revived interest in…nuclear energy as a possible component of a resilient, low-carbon mix. Joshua Kurlantzick, from Council on Foreign Relationsbelieves that the commitments made today by States regarding atomic energy are likely to become permanently embedded in their energy policy, despite the duration and complexity of the projects.
Lessons learned from recent events and government responses are compiled and commented on by several regional and international observers; a summary of key learnings can be found in Southeast Asia and in-depth reports describe the political and industrial repositioning (Euronews).
Consequences of the conflict in Iran on energy strategies in Asia and Africa
Q. Why is the conflict in Iran pushing countries to turn to the nuclear ?
A. The conflict is disrupting shipping lanes and driving up the price of oil and gas, creating a global energy shockTo reduce their dependence on volatile fossil fuel markets and secure their supply, several states are favouring the nuclear option, seen as a stable long-term alternative.
Q. Which regions are most affected by these disruptions?
A. L’Asia, the main destination for Middle Eastern hydrocarbons, was the first to suffer the consequences of the maritime disruptions, closely followed by theAfricaPrice increases are also being felt in the United States and Europe.
Q. How are countries that already possess nuclear power responding to the crisis?
A. States with power plants are increasing production and accelerating the recommissioning or maintenance of shut-down units to strengthen the security of supply in the short term.
Q. And what about countries that don’t yet have a nuclear industry?
A. Several non-nuclear states are accelerating long-term projects to protect themselves against future shocks in the fossil fuel market, knowing that establishing a nuclear energy sector can take time. decades.
Q. L’nuclear energy Is it a quick solution to the current shortages?
A. No: building a full nuclear capability takes time—planning, financing, construction, and training—which makes it a rather poor answer. structural and long term that fast.
Q. How many countries use or are considering nuclear power today?
A. Today, around thirty countries already operate power plants, supplying nearly 10% of global electricity; nearly forty other countries are considering or preparing nuclear projects.
Q. What concrete examples demonstrate this push towards nuclear power?
A. In AsiaSouth Korea is increasing production and accelerating maintenance of shut-down reactors; Taiwan debate on restarting out-of-service units. In AfricaCountries such as Kenya, Rwanda and South Africa have confirmed their intention to build reactors in the future.
Q. How does nuclear energy work and what are its advantages?
A. Nuclear electricity comes from fission of atoms like uranium: the separation of nuclei releases a large amount of energy. It emits little or no carbon dioxide during electricity production, making it attractive for climate and energy stability objectives.
Q. What are the main risks and disadvantages associated with nuclear power?
A. In addition to costs and delays, the sector generates radioactive waste to manage over the long term and requires high standards of security and risk management, which explains the caution of many States.
Q. Has the crisis triggered a “nuclear renaissance”?
A. Many observers note a renewed interest in nuclear power: the search for an alternative to the risks of fossil fuel markets and current commitments could permanently establish nuclear power in the energy mix from several countries.
Q. What are some countries doing while waiting for long-term nuclear solutions?
A. In the short term, some governments are increasing their use of coal or buy more oil, particularly from alternative suppliers, to compensate for market tensions.
Q. What role does the maintenance and restarting of existing reactors play?
A. Accelerated recommissioning and maintenance enable a rapid increase in available nuclear electricity production, providing an operational response to supply problems before new constructions come online.