The conflict surrounding Iran has ceased to be a distant matter of international politics and has become a direct blow to the global energy systemThe rising cost of oil and gas, coupled with problems in maritime supply routes, is rapidly reshaping the energy strategies of Asia and Africa, with effects that are also being felt in Europe.
In that scenario, numerous governments on both continents are making a decisive shift towards nuclear energy as a shield against future fossil fuel crisesCountries that already have nuclear power plants are seeking to maximize the efficiency of their reactors, while those without nuclear experience are accelerating plans that until recently seemed very long-term.
A global energy shock with an impact on Europe
The Iran war has particularly strained the maritime routes through which oil and natural gas from the Middle East circulateAsia, the main destination for these fuels, was the first region to feel the shock, closely followed by African countries with less financial leeway to withstand sharp price increases.
The price increase has not been limited to those two continents: The United States and Europe are also experiencing a substantial increase in energy costs.This impact extends to industry, transportation, and electricity bills. For the European Union, still grappling with the supply crisis triggered by the war between Russia and Ukraine, this new front reopens the debate on energy security and the diversification of energy sources.
In this context, nuclear energy reappears as firm base and low emissions option to complement renewables. Although the technology does not offer an immediate solution—the development of new power plants can take decades—the decisions made now will shape the future energy mix in Asia and Africa, as well as in the rest of the world.
Organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency point out that 31 countries already use nuclear energy Around 10% of the world's electricity comes from this source, while more than 40 countries are actively studying its adoption. This trend is interpreted as a genuine "nuclear renaissance" driven by the instability of the gas and oil markets.
Why nuclear power is gaining traction again
The renewed appeal of nuclear energy is best understood when compared to fossil fuels. Uranium fission allows to generate large amounts of electricity without emitting carbon dioxide during the operation of the power plant, unlike coal, oil or gas, which contribute directly to climate change.
However, this progress comes with well-known challenges: nuclear activity produces long-lived and potentially hazardous radioactive wastewhose safe and long-term management remains one of the most sensitive issues. Furthermore, the fear of serious accidents and potential military use of the technology continues to be a topic of public and political debate.
Energy policy experts point out that, although interest in nuclear power is growing, The development of new power plants takes years or even decades.Therefore, several voices emphasize that the immediate priority for energy security should be to expand the capacity of renewable energies such as solar and wind, which are faster to deploy and increasingly cost-competitive.
In response to these arguments, proponents of nuclear power insist on its role as stable base power source, capable of supplying electricity continuously and predictably, something especially valuable in electrical systems with weak networks or a high dependence on imported fuels, as is the case in much of Africa and Asia.
Asia: More reactors and changes of course
Asia is at the epicenter of change. The region, which absorbed a large part of the oil and gas from the Middle EastRussia has had to react quickly to the partial blockade of key routes such as the Strait of Hormuz. Emergency measures range from burning more coal to buying Russian crude, but the underlying strategy involves strengthening existing nuclear capabilities.
South Korea illustrates this shift: the country is increasing the production of its nuclear plants and accelerating maintenance work on five reactors that were out of service, with the aim of restarting them very soon. This seeks to reduce pressure on gas imports and stabilize domestic prices.
In Japan and Taiwan, the Iran war is causing a change in tone in societies deeply marked by the memory of Fukushima. Tokyo has partially revised its policy on closing power plants. and has decided to reactivate the gigantic Kashiwazaki-Kariwa complex, the world's largest nuclear power plant, which had been shut down for years for safety reasons.
Furthermore, the Japanese government has signed a multi-billion dollar agreement with the United States for new reactors and another agreement with France to recycle used nuclear fuel, while also promising cooperation in this field with Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia. All of this is happening while public opinion, hit by rising prices, is showing some receptiveness to the use of nuclear power as a backup for renewables.
Taiwan, for its part, is studying the complex process of restart two reactors that had been shut downThe eventual reopening would require thorough technical inspections, a review of safety systems and an intense internal political debate, but current energy pressures have brought the issue back to the forefront of the agenda.
New nuclear projects in South and Southeast Asia
Beyond the advanced economies of East Asia, the energy crisis has generated an additional impetus to nuclear projects in emerging countries from the south of the continent. Several of them see fission as a way to reduce supply cuts and depend less on imported gas.
Bangladesh is accelerating the entry into operation of reactors built by the Russian state-owned company RosatomThe goal of the Dhaka government is for some of that new capacity to contribute around 300 megawatts to the national grid in the coming months, which would help alleviate gas shortages and frequent blackouts.
Vietnam is also moving in this direction. In March, the country signed a agreement with Moscow to develop two Russian-designed reactors, within a broader strategy of diversifying its energy mix, which combines the rapid growth of renewables with new sources of baseload generation.
The Philippines, which has even declared a national energy emergency Due to the severity of the power outages and high prices, the possibility of reactivating a nuclear power plant built after the 1970s oil crisis, but which never became operational, is being reviewed again. Local experts indicate that the war in Iran is serving as a “serious warning” to revisit the nuclear issue with greater pragmatism.
Overall, the Asian continent shows a clear pattern of greater openness towards nuclear energyHowever, there are nuances: while some countries consider it a central piece of their strategy, others see it as a temporary complement while networks are strengthened and the renewable energy park is expanded.
Africa accelerates its atomic ambitions
In Africa, the effects of the Iran-Contra war are felt in the form of price increases and recurring power outagesThis is especially true in economies most dependent on imported fossil fuels. This situation has revived the nuclear plans of more than 20 African countries, which until now had been proceeding cautiously.
The continent has become a priority market for major nuclear powersThe United States, Russia, China, France, and South Korea are competing to position their technologies, with a special focus on so-called small modular reactors (SMRs), seen as a less expensive and more flexible alternative to large conventional power plants.
These SMRs are designed to be more compact and scalableThey are better suited to fragile electrical grids and countries with limited transmission systems. Proponents argue that they allow for the phased deployment of nuclear capacity with lower initial investments, although they acknowledge that development timelines remain lengthy.
Kenya is one of the most frequently cited examples: the country has been working for years on a nuclear program that anticipates to launch a small modular reactor by the middle of the next decadeAfter beginning planning in the late 2000s, Kenyan authorities have seen nuclear power go from "a distant dream" to a "strategic necessity" to ensure supply and reduce costs.
Rwanda has also taken visible steps. During a summit organized by the UN nuclear agency, its president, Paul Kagame, emphasized that Africa could become one of the most important global markets for SMRs in the coming years, given the rapid growth in electricity demand and the need for alternatives to imported diesel.
South Africa and the competition between powers for nuclear leadership
South Africa occupies a unique place on the African map, being the only country on the continent that already operates commercial nuclear power plantsThe Government intends for nuclear power to increase from around 5% of its current electricity mix to about 16% by 2040, combining the expansion of existing capacity with new projects, including advanced SMRs.
Officials from the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation have indicated that Modular reactors could place the country at the forefront of advanced nuclear technologies in the region, while also helping to stabilize an electrical system under great strain from years of underinvestment and scheduled blackouts.
In parallel, Africa has become the scene of a open competition between the United States and Russia to gain influence through civilian nuclear cooperation. Rosatom, the Russian state agency, is building Egypt's first large reactor and maintains agreements with countries such as Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Tanzania, and Niger, covering everything from power generation projects to research centers and training for specialized personnel.
The United States, for its part, is trying to regain ground with initiatives focused on the promotion of safe small modular reactorsWashington and Seoul recently hosted a nuclear conference in Nairobi to present joint proposals, while countries such as Kenya and Ghana have joined US-led SMR collaboration programs.
Ghana aspires to to begin construction of its first nuclear power plant by the end of this decade and is actively seeking international technology partners. The idea is to complement its renewable energy mix with a baseload source that reduces exposure to international fuel prices and strengthens the electricity system against future crises.
Security, waste and vulnerability in conflicts
The advance of nuclear energy in Asia and Africa coexists with persistent security concernsEnvironmental organizations and part of the scientific community warn that the risks of serious accidents, poor waste management, or diversion of materials to military programs have not disappeared.
Some critical voices emphasize that nuclear power It keeps countries dependent on imported materials. such as enriched uranium, which in practice can replace one dependence (on oil or gas) with another of a different nature. They also point out that the construction of power plants is often fraught with cost overruns, delays, and political controversies.
On a more geopolitical level, energy security specialists warn of the vulnerability of nuclear facilities in war contextsRecent attacks or tensions surrounding nuclear facilities during conflicts such as the war between Russia and Ukraine, or episodes linked to the Iran-Iraq War, have highlighted that nuclear infrastructure can become military targets or instruments of pressure.
Given this scenario, some experts recommend that governments prioritize the accelerated expansion of renewables combined with improvements in electrical storage and smart grids. They argue that, given the time required to bring new nuclear capacity online, focusing efforts on solar, wind, and other clean technologies would strengthen energy security with fewer technological and geopolitical risks.
Other analysts, however, argue that the current context of volatile prices, supply crises, and increased geopolitical tension It makes it difficult to forgo any low-carbon generation option, including nuclear, as long as strict safety and transparency standards are respected.
In this new landscape, the Iran war is acting as a catalyst, accelerating long-delayed decisions in Asia and Africa and forcing Europe to rethink its energy strategy. The result is a world in which security of supply and technological diversification They are once again at the center of the debate, with nuclear energy gaining prominence, but accompanied by doubts and challenges that governments will have to manage over the coming decades.