The Iran war’s global energy shock is causing some nations in Asia and Africa to boost nuclear power generation and spurring atomic energy plans in non-nuclear countries on both continents. Nuclear power isn’t a quick fix for the current energy crisis caused by shipping disruptions in key oil and gas sea lanes.
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What does that push for unity mean today?A dispatch from inside the Vatican bubble during a remarkable exchange between pope and presidentThe energy shock from the Iran war is boosting nuclear power generation among some nations and adding momentum to the atomic desires of hard-hit countries in Africa and Asia.Workers fix barbed wire on the fence of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant at Ishwardi in Pabna, Bangladesh, Oct.4, 2023. Construction work takes place at the EPR2, the site of the new reactors currently being built at the Penly nuclear power plant, in Petit-Caux, France, on the English channel coast, March 12, 2026. Fishermen tether a boat on the shore near the Madras Atomic Power Station, a nuclear power facility, at Kalpakkam, in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Feb. 10, 2025. Mark Munyua, CP solar’s technician, examines solar panels on the roof of a company in Nairobi, Kenya, Sept. 1, 2023. Water storage tanks set to be dismantled are visible at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company , in Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture, Feb. 12, 2026. The energy shock from the Iran war is boosting nuclear power generation among some nations and adding momentum to the atomic desires of hard-hit countries in Africa and Asia.Workers fix barbed wire on the fence of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant at Ishwardi in Pabna, Bangladesh, Oct.4, 2023. Workers fix barbed wire on the fence of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant at Ishwardi in Pabna, Bangladesh, Oct.4, 2023. Construction work takes place at the EPR2, the site of the new reactors currently being built at the Penly nuclear power plant, in Petit-Caux, France, on the English channel coast, March 12, 2026. Construction work takes place at the EPR2, the site of the new reactors currently being built at the Penly nuclear power plant, in Petit-Caux, France, on the English channel coast, March 12, 2026. Fishermen tether a boat on the shore near the Madras Atomic Power Station, a nuclear power facility, at Kalpakkam, in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Feb. 10, 2025. Fishermen tether a boat on the shore near the Madras Atomic Power Station, a nuclear power facility, at Kalpakkam, in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Feb. 10, 2025. Mark Munyua, CP solar’s technician, examines solar panels on the roof of a company in Nairobi, Kenya, Sept. 1, 2023. Mark Munyua, CP solar’s technician, examines solar panels on the roof of a company in Nairobi, Kenya, Sept. 1, 2023. Water storage tanks set to be dismantled are visible at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company , in Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture, Feb. 12, 2026. Water storage tanks set to be dismantled are visible at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company , in Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture, Feb. 12, 2026. is causing some nations in Africa and Asia to boost nuclear power generation and spurring atomic energy plans in non-nuclear countries on both continents. African and Asian nations with nuclear plants are increasing their output as they scramble for short-term energy supplies, while non-nuclear countries are accelerating long-term nuclear plans to safeguard against future fossil fuel shocks. Nuclear power isn’t a quick fix for the current energy crisis. Developing atomic energy can take decades, especially for nuclear newcomers. But long-term commitments to nuclear power made now will likely lock it in to countries’ future energy mixes, said Joshua Kurlantzick of the Council on Foreign Relations. In Asia, the Iran war is pushing South Korea to increase nuclear power generation, while Taiwan is debating restarting mothballed reactors. In Africa, future plans to build reactors have taken on urgency, with Kenya, Rwanda and South Africa affirming their support. Nuclear power takes advantage of the energy released when the nucleus of an atom, such as uranium, splits in a process called fission. Unlike fossil fuels, this doesn’t release climate change-causing carbon dioxide. But it creates potentially dangerous radioactive waste, one reason many countries are cautious about nuclear power.The war has accelerated a global “nuclear renaissance,” said Rachel Bronson of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, as countries seek an out from the risks of fossil fuel markets.purchases of Russian crude oil South Korea is increasing generation at its nuclear plants and speeding up maintenance at five offline reactors, with restarts planned in May.following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear meltdown, triggered when an earthquake and tsunami disabled the power supply that cooled the reactors. Taiwan is considering the years-long process of restarting two reactors because of the current crisis, which will require meticulous inspections, safety checks and control system verifications. Renewables, like solar and wind, make more sense for energy affordability and security, according to Michiyo Miyamoto of the U.S.-based Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis.In South Asia, Bangladesh is racing to turn on new reactors built by Russia’s state-owned nuclear corporation Rosatom. Dhaka hopes they will supply the national grid with 300 megawatts by this summer, relieving some pressure from“I hope we learned our lesson,” said Alvie Asuncion-Astronomo of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute. The Iran war is “providing a needed push for nuclear.”Soaring energy prices and power shortages in Africa, triggered by the Iran war, is leading to public calls for nuclear cooperation and re-invigorated interest in long-term nuclear energy plans, which are underway in more than 20 of the 54 African countries. With Africa seen as an atomic energy growth market, nuclear nations — including the U.S., Russia, China, France and South Korea — are pitching advanced technology such as small modular reactors, or SMRs, as a solution to energy shortages.Proponents tout them as a faster option, but projects can still take years. Kenya, for instance, plans to bring a small modular reactor online in 2034 after starting the first phase in 2009. Last month, Justus Wabuyabo of Kenya’s Nuclear Power and Energy Agency, said “nuclear energy is no longer a distant aspiration for African countries; it is a strategic necessity.” During a March summit convened by the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog agency, Rwandan President Paul Kagame said Africa will be “one of the most important global markets” for the smaller reactors in the years ahead. Smaller reactors, which can offer scalable, low-emitting base load power, are considered a solution to Africa’s rising electricity demand, weak grids and over reliance on imported diesel. Similarly, Loyiso Tyabashe of the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation, said SMRs could “fulfill our strategic objective of positioning South Africa at the forefront of advanced nuclear technologies.” South Africa, which has the continent’s only existing nuclear plants, wants nuclear to go from making around 5% of its energy mix now to 16% by 2040.The energy disruptions come as competition for influence in Africa intensifies between Washington and Moscow. Russia’s Rosatom is building Egypt’s first reactor and has cooperation agreements with Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Tanzania and Niger, spanning major projects, research centers, uranium processing facilities and training programs. While only Kenya and Ghana have joined an American-led modular reactor initiative, Washington is trying to catch up. The U.S. and South Korea sponsored a nuclear conference in Nairobi last month. Ryan Taugher of the U.S. State Department said Washington is working with African nations to rapidly develop secure and safe civil nuclear reactors.Risks like meltdowns and mismanaged waste remain, even as interest builds. Nuclear energy could also be a step toward building nuclear bombs. Ayumi Fukakusa, of the advocacy group Friends of the Earth Japan, said “nuclear is very risky” and will keep countries reliant on imported fuels such as enriched uranium. Given that nuclear sectors take years to develop, governments should stay focused on building out renewables for long-term energy security, said Rex Amancio of the Global Renewables Alliance. Bronson, with the atomic scientists group, also said nuclear plants are vulnerable during conflicts, citing recent instances where reactors were specifically targeted during the “All of this comes into the mix of how we think about energy security,” she said. “Countries are now weighing those kinds of risks against the other risks, which Asia and Africa are seeing first and foremost, about what happens when gas and oil stops.”The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’sDelgado covers climate and energy issues across Southeast Asia for The Associated Press. He is based out of Bangkok, Thailand.
Energy Industry Asia Africa General News International News Climate And Environment Rachel Bronson Iran Government Japan Government Iran Rex Amancio International Atomic Energy Agency Taiwan Government Joshua Kurlantzick South Korea Government World News Justus Wabuyabo Business Ryan Taugher Kenya Government Paul Kagame Climate World News
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