Britannica
Sources used in this answer
- nuclear power - World nuclear power
- antinuclear movement
- nuclear power - Economics
- nuclear reactor - Three Mile Island and Chernobyl
- 30th Anniversary of Chernobyl
- nuclear power - Safety
- nuclear reactor - Design and operating standards
- The energy market: Oil, solar, and everything in between - A market in transition
- Alternative energy - Nuclear
- Three Mile Island accident
Why did nuclear power's share of world electricity generation decline after about 1990?
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nuclear power
Schematic diagram of a nuclear power plant using a pressurized-water reactor.
The decline in nuclear power's share of global electricity generation after 1990 is primarily attributed to the fact that total worldwide electricity production grew at a faster rate than nuclear-generated electricity. While nuclear power reached a peak of 17 percent of global electricity generation around 1990, other energy sourcesâparticularly coal and natural gasâexpanded more rapidly to meet rising global demand.1
This trend occurred alongside several challenges facing the nuclear industry:
- Economic Factors: Nuclear power plants are characterized by high capital costs for construction and are sensitive to interest rates, making them economically challenging compared to other energy sources.2
- Safety Concerns and Regulation: Major accidents, such as the Three Mile Island accident in 1979 and the Chernobyl disaster in 1986, significantly impacted the industry. These events led to increased public opposition, stricter regulatory requirements, and enhanced safety protocols, which in turn contributed to higher operating costs and slowed the licensing and construction of new facilities.34
- Public Sentiment: The antinuclear movement gained momentum following these accidents, further influencing energy policy and public perception regarding the safety and environmental risks of nuclear technology.5