45 countries jumping on nuclear bandwagonWith so many new nations developing nuclear programs, nuclear energy generation worldwide will climb by almost 30 percent by 2020, according to GlobalData. The total increase will be from 2,386,449 GWh in 2012 to 3,078,130 GWh in 2020. Globally, nuclear saw modest growth between 2000 and 2011 and experienced a sharp drop between 2011 and 2012 when many reactors were shut down in the wake of the Fukushima disaster. According to GlobalData, 198 nuclear reactors are scheduled to begin commercial operations from 2013 to 2020. Currently, approximately 45 countries without a nuclear portfolio are looking to add the power source, including UAE, Turkey, Poland and Bangladesh. Of this group, UAE will be the primary driver with four nuclear power plants expected to come online by 2020, according to GlobalData. GlobalData attributes the rising interest in nuclear to the escalating need for power, combined with soaring fossil fuel prices -- especially among rapidly developing countries where large-scale alternative energy generation isn't practical. For more: Related Article:
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