International Figures released by the IAEA show that world nuclear power production increased by nearly 4% in 2001. The latest IAEA figures show that world nuclear production totalled nearly 2544TWh in 2001, compared to just under 2499TWh in 2000.
The latest figures show that the nuclear share in total world electricity production also rose, from 15.9% in 2000 to 16.2% in 2001. The IAEA said: “Worldwide, nuclear production is edging up, performance keeps improving, and slow but steady growth is projected in the coming years.” IAEA deputy director general Viktor Mourogov added that nuclear power worldwide has “more than held its own in the new and more competitive environment of privatised and deregulated electricity markets.” Mourogov said performance standards had increased by about 11% since 1990, with average availability factors rising from 72.9% to 84% over that period – thanks largely to improvements in operational practices, plant management and engineering support.
New generating capacity more than made up for that which was withdrawn from service, with total world net nuclear capacity rising from 351,300MWe to 353,300MWe in 2001.
IAEA anticipates nuclear capacity growth rates of 4-7% by 2005.
