Energy Security Shift
Nuclear power could more than triple by 2060 as a growing number of countries move to strengthen energy security and reduce dependence on volatile fossil fuel imports, the head of the UN nuclear agency said on Tuesday. The forecast underscores a notable shift in the global energy debate: what was once often framed primarily as a climate technology is now increasingly being treated as a strategic asset in an era of geopolitical tension, supply-chain fragility and persistent power-demand growth.
Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said nuclear energy is gaining broader acceptance because governments are looking for reliable baseload power that can complement intermittent renewable sources. He argued that nuclear should be seen on par with solar energy in the clean-energy transition, while stressing that it is, in his view, safer than every other option. The remarks reflect a wider effort by the agency to position nuclear power not as a niche technology, but as a mainstream part of future electricity systems.
The projection comes at a time when many economies are reassessing their energy mix after years of price shocks and supply disruptions. Europe's scramble to replace Russian gas, Asia's rising electricity demand and the need for stable power for industry and data centres have all revived interest in nuclear generation. For policymakers, the appeal is straightforward: reactors can provide large volumes of low-carbon electricity around the clock, without the weather dependence that affects wind and solar output.
Policy And Capital
The forecast also points to a major investment challenge. Expanding nuclear capacity at the scale suggested by the agency would require vast sums of capital, long project timelines and stronger regulatory coordination. New plants are expensive to build, and delays have historically undermined confidence in the sector. Yet the IAEA's outlook suggests that the policy environment is becoming more favourable, particularly as countries search for dependable power sources that can support electrification, industrial growth and grid stability.
Grossi's comments are likely to resonate in countries that are weighing whether to extend the life of existing reactors, restart dormant projects or approve new builds. In several markets, nuclear power is being recast as a practical answer to the twin pressures of decarbonisation and energy resilience. That is especially relevant for large emerging economies, where electricity demand is rising quickly and where governments are under pressure to expand supply without locking in higher emissions.
The agency's stance also reflects a broader international conversation about the role of nuclear in net-zero pathways. Supporters argue that excluding nuclear would make climate targets harder and more expensive to meet, particularly in systems that need firm power to back up renewables. Critics continue to raise concerns about waste, safety, cost overruns and the time required to bring new capacity online. But the momentum behind nuclear has clearly strengthened as energy security has become a central policy priority.
India's Strategic Interest
For India, the outlook carries particular relevance. The country is seeking to expand electricity generation while cutting the carbon intensity of growth, and nuclear power remains one of the few large-scale low-emission sources capable of delivering steady output. Although India's current nuclear fleet is modest relative to its overall power system, policymakers have long viewed the sector as part of a diversified energy strategy that can support long-term industrialisation and grid reliability.
The IAEA's forecast may reinforce the case for deeper investment in nuclear infrastructure, including reactor construction, fuel-cycle capacity and regulatory preparedness. It also arrives as India balances rapid renewable deployment with the need for firm capacity that can meet demand during periods when solar and wind output fall short. In that sense, the global nuclear revival is not just a climate story; it is also a macroeconomic one, tied to the cost, security and durability of future power systems.
If the agency's projection proves accurate, the next three decades could see nuclear power move from a contested option to a more central pillar of the world's electricity mix. That would mark a significant reversal for a sector long constrained by public scepticism, high costs and political hesitation. For now, the message from the UN nuclear agency is clear: in a world defined by energy insecurity, nuclear power is back in the conversation, and in a much bigger way.