TOKYO — February 19, 2025 — Our colleague Dr. Leslie Dewan delivered the keynote address at the Asia Pacific Nuclear Energy Conference (APNE). She began by extolling the benefits of nuclear energy. In the fight against climate change, nuclear power is emerging as a crucial player alongside renewable sources like solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal.

"As a nuclear engineer and National Geographic Explorer, I've witnessed firsthand the devastating impacts of climate change—from melting permafrost in the Arctic to deforestation-driven landslides in Sumatra. These experiences have only deepened my belief that a sustainable future demands a diverse energy mix where nuclear power plays a pivotal role," she said.

Over the past decade, the nuclear industry has experienced a renaissance, with the restart of lightwater reactors, advancements in next-generation reactor designs, and growing political and private-sector support. In the United States, advanced nuclear technology is one of the rare areas of bipartisan agreement, and investors increasingly recognize its value for energy security and long-term profitability.

However, despite these promising developments, the industry must address a significant challenge: the need for a robust nuclear ecosystem. Without the infrastructure to support large-scale nuclear deployment, the industry cannot meet the soaring demand for clean energy. This ecosystem encompasses supply chains for critical materials, a skilled labor force, and a services sector capable of maintaining and improving nuclear operations.

Why the Demand for Nuclear Power is Growing

Electricity demand is surging globally, and nuclear power is well-positioned to meet these needs. Several factors are driving this increased demand:

1. Energy-Hungry Data Centers: The rise of artificial intelligence and cloud computing has led to exponential growth in energy consumption. Some U.S. utilities warn that they cannot support new data centers without expanding nuclear capacity.
2. Electric Vehicles (EVs): The widespread adoption of EVs places additional pressure on electrical grids, further emphasizing the need for reliable, large-scale energy sources.
3. Rising Temperatures: As global temperatures climb, the demand for air conditioning is skyrocketing, especially in equatorial regions.
4. Energy Security Concerns: Geopolitical events like Russia's invasion of Ukraine have underscored the risks of relying on fossil fuel imports, reinforcing the need for stable domestic energy sources.

These factors have accelerated the development of both conventional and advanced nuclear reactors. From the restart of the Shimane Nuclear Power Plant in Japan to cutting-edge designs like China's high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR), the world is witnessing a nuclear resurgence. But for this growth to be sustainable, we need to invest in the underlying ecosystem.

Addressing the Gaps in the Nuclear Ecosystem

To scale nuclear power effectively, we must overcome critical gaps in three key areas: supply chains, labor, and services.

1. Supply Chains: Advanced reactors require specialized materials and components that are not yet being produced at the necessary scale. For example, high-temperature, radiation-resistant materials and advanced fuel types like high-assay, low-enriched uranium (HALEU) are essential but in limited supply. Mass manufacturing techniques for reactor components, such as heat pipes and specialized seals, must be scaled up rapidly to meet future demand.
2. Skilled Labor: Building and operating nuclear plants requires thousands of highly trained professionals, including welders, pipefitters, and nuclear engineers. With the advent of modular reactor manufacturing, the industry will also need more assembly specialists and technicians. Expanding nuclear education programs and certification pathways is essential to develop the future workforce.
3. Advanced Services: As next-generation reactors become more autonomous and digitally connected, we must prioritize innovations in monitoring, cybersecurity, and regulatory compliance. Enhanced simulation tools and digital twins can improve plant efficiency and accelerate licensing processes, while advanced materials tracking is critical for ensuring nuclear security and non-proliferation.

Lessons from Other Industries

The nuclear sector can learn valuable lessons from adjacent industries like aerospace. Advances in computational simulation, for instance, have drastically reduced design timelines. Modern supercomputers enable calculations in seconds that would have taken millions of years on 1960s-era machines. This computational power accelerates the development of advanced reactor designs by allowing more efficient modeling and testing.

Moreover, changes in venture capital funding models are providing long-term investment for complex, capital-intensive projects like nuclear. Lessons from aerospace financing—where investors understand the extended timelines required for returns—are now being applied to nuclear ventures, unlocking billions in private capital.

The Path Forward

Dewan noted that advanced reactors, like molten salt designs, offer groundbreaking safety benefits and operational efficiencies. These reactors are "walk-away safe," meaning they can shut down autonomously in the event of a power failure. However, realizing their potential requires more than technical innovation—it demands a comprehensive infrastructure to support their deployment and operation.

By investing in supply chains, labor development, and advanced services, we can create a thriving nuclear ecosystem that meets the world's growing energy needs. This ecosystem will drive decarbonization and strengthen energy security and economic resilience.

She concluded, "The future is uncertain, but I believe we're at this time of great optimism and opportunity as we work to build these sustainable, resilient, and effective ways of powering the future. And what we need now is the infrastructure, the people, and the businesses to make this a reality."