Stefan Mileschin

A new report published by the World Energy Council examining the effects of the Fukushima Daiichi accident upon the global nuclear energy industry suggests a strong long-term prognosis for the technology. The near-immediate cessation of nuclear energy programs in a handful of Western nations will clearly set back total global nuclear energy generation, but it's an effect that will most likely be dwarfed in the long-term as the majority of countries, including emerging economic giants China and India, proceed with their nuclear plans unabated, albeit at a more cautious pace.

In the immediate aftermath of Fukushima, countries the world over put nuclear energy programs on hold to undertake comprehensive safety reviews. As a result, reactor construction starts have fallen from 16 during 2010 (following year-on-year growth since 2004) to just two in 2011. In some cases, countries haven't held out for review findings before electing to close aging power stations.

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