The global energy shock triggered by the Iran war is driving several Asian nations to expand nuclear power generation and accelerate long-term atomic energy plans.
Asia, heavily dependent on Middle Eastern oil and gas, has been hit hardest by disruptions to key shipping routes, forcing governments to seek alternative energy sources amid rising costs, reports AP/UNB.
Countries with existing nuclear infrastructure are increasing output, while others are revisiting or advancing plans to build reactors to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Nuclear power is not an immediate solution, as projects often take decades to develop. However, decisions taken now are expected to shape long-term energy strategies, said Joshua Kurlantzick of the Council on Foreign Relations.
In East Asia, South Korea is boosting generation at nuclear plants and fast-tracking maintenance of offline reactors, with several restarts planned in May.
Taiwan is weighing the complex process of restarting two reactors, while Japan is reversing its post-Fukushima stance by reviving nuclear capacity and expanding cooperation agreements.
Since the war began, Japan has signed a $40 billion reactor deal with the United States, reached a fuel recycling agreement with France, and pledged nuclear cooperation with Indonesia. It also restarted the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant, the world’s largest nuclear facility, in January.
The crisis has intensified debate over energy choices. “Renewables, like solar and wind, make more sense than nuclear for energy affordability and security,” said Michiyo Miyamoto of the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis.
Still, rising electricity costs and supply uncertainty are shifting public opinion in Japan towards greater acceptance of nuclear power, she said.
In South Asia, Bangladesh is moving to bring new Russian-built reactors online, with authorities aiming to supply around 300 megawatts to the grid by summer to ease gas shortages.
Vietnam has signed an agreement with Moscow to build two reactors, while the Philippines is considering reviving a dormant nuclear plant as it grapples with an energy emergency.
“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.”
Experts say the crisis is accelerating what some describe as a global “nuclear renaissance,” as countries seek to shield their economies from volatile fossil fuel markets.
