Even before the meltdowns at Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant, the global energy sector was in period of uncertainty caused by a variety of factors; the rise of non-conventional fuels, uncertainty over future demand, the falling price of renewable energy technology and the lack of clarity over any future international climate change regime. This is at a time when stability is necessary to facilitate massive volumes of new investment to replace aging capacity and meet predicted increases in global demand.

The Fukushima accident has had a direct and dramatic impact on the energy policies of two of the world’s largest economies; Germany and Japan. However these are by no means the only effects, as other European, Middle Eastern and Asian government have responded to public concerns and revised engineering and economic assessments to abandon or reduce their nuclear ambitions. Simultaneously, many other governments are continuing or even expanding their nuclear plans as a means of diversifying their energy supply sources and to move away from dependency on fossil fuels.   

However, the future of the global nuclear sector will not be decided by government policy alone, and there are a variety of factors that are affecting its development. This series of papers, opinion pieces and presentations explores the status of the global industry, the factors affecting its future and the ways in which its development will influence other energy sources.

Resources

Reset or Restart? The Impact of Fukushima on the Japanese and German Energy Sectors
Briefing Paper, July 2012 

Japanese Energy Policy Stands at a Crossroads
The Guardian, Catherine Mitchell, Antony Froggatt and Shunsuke Managi, May 2012

Lessons From Japan's Disaster
Transcript - Yoichi Funabashi and Heizo Takenaka, March 2012

Nuclear Power Post-Fukushima
Expert Comment, Antony Froggatt, March 2012

Preparing for High-impact, Low-probability Events: Lessons from Eyjafjallajökull 
Chatham House Report, Bernice Lee and Felix Preston, with Gemma Green, January 2012

Is Nuclear a Sustainable Energy Option?
Transcript, November 2011

Viewpoint: Fukushima Makes Case for Renewable Energy
BBC News, Antony Froggatt, April 2011 

The Future of Nuclear Energy: Tough Choices Ahead
Expert Comment, Malcolm Grimston, March 2011

Japan's Nuclear Crisis: the Risk of Risk Assessments
Expert Comment, Cleo Paskal, March 2011

Japan's Nuclear Crisis: the Long-term Impact
Expert Comment, Walt Patterson, March 2011

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Contact 

For more information please contact Antony Froggatt.