The new nuclear renaissance - real or rhetoric? | Special pre-ADIPEC preview episode

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Oct 20, 2025

In a compelling discussion, Dr. Sama Bilbao y León, Director General of the World Nuclear Association, explores the nuclear industry's revival amid soaring electricity demands and climate goals. She highlights COP28’s pivotal recognition of nuclear power, with 31 countries pledging to triple capacity by 2050. Dr. León discusses the synergy between AI and nuclear, promising reliable, 24/7 clean energy. Her insights on small modular reactors and the need for policy support reveal a dynamic future for nuclear as countries seek energy security while advancing sustainability.

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INSIGHT

COP28 Signalled A Global Nuclear Shift

COP28 in Dubai marked a turning point by having 199 countries recognise nuclear as essential to climate goals. 31 countries committed to tripling nuclear capacity by 2050, signalling broad policy acceptance.

ADVICE

Make The Most Of Existing Reactors

Prioritise maximising existing fleet value through life extensions, uprates and refurbishments. Dr Sama highlights that investments to repower and extend reactors deliver real, near-term generation growth.

INSIGHT

Deployment Diverges By Region

Nuclear deployment is proceeding rapidly in Asia, the Middle East and parts of Eastern Europe while OECD rollout lags. Real projects in China, Korea, India, UAE and others show on-time, on-budget delivery is possible.

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Nuclear power is back at the centre of the global energy conversation again. Is a real renaissance in the industry under way? Or are we just in another moment of excitement before familiar challenges emerge and the hype cycle turns down again?

In the second of three special episodes ahead of ADIPEC 2025, host Ed Crooks speaks with Dr Sama Bilbao y León, Director General of the World Nuclear Association, about how the role of nuclear power in a world of turbocharged electricity demand growth and continuing pressure to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Sama explains how nuclear power has shifted from an afterthought at climate summits to a cornerstone of countries’ decarbonisation strategies. COP28 in Dubai in 2023 marked a turning point, she says. 199 countries formally recognised nuclear power as essential to meeting their climate goals, and 31 of them committed to triple nuclear generation capacity by 2050. Investment is accelerating, with new projects breaking ground across Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. And where new developments are slow, countries are embracing lower-cost options, including extending plant lifetimes and restarting previously retired reactors.

The discussion explores the growing influence of AI and data centres, which give new relevance to nuclear because of their round-the-clock need for electricity. AI is part of a new alignment of conditions that mean that this time the momentum behind nuclear power is real, Sama argues. Financing is available, governments are pragmatic, and the tech giants are now among the most vocal advocates for 24/7 clean baseload power.

Sama and Ed also unpack the rise of small modular reactors (SMRs). Factory-built to a larger degree, repeatable, and scalable, SMRs could open new opportunities for industrial clusters, remote regions, and energy-hungry digital infrastructure. They may not be the answer to all the challenges the nuclear industry faces, but they should definitely have a role to play. However, Sama warns that probably only a handful of designs will survive the early shake-out that will be needed to streamline the SMR industry.

Finally, the conversation turns to policy and politics. In a more polarised world, nuclear is emerging as rare common ground, backed by governments seeking climate progress, energy security, and economic competitiveness. Sama calls for a balanced system that values integration over ideology: renewables, nuclear, and smarter grids working in tandem.

This is the second of three special episodes sponsored by ADIPEC 2025, where the theme is Energy Intelligence Impact. The event brings together 205,000+ attendees and 1,800+ speakers in Abu Dhabi from 3–6 November 2025. The Energy Gang will be recording live at the event. Join us there to be part of the conversation.

Learn more and register at adipec.com.

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