Dynamics and spatial features of the development of nuclear energy in the world

Authors

  • Liliya O. Sushkevich Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus
  • Aliaksei N. Shavel’ Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus
  • Siargei S. Mikhailau Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

Keywords:

world energy, electricity generation, nuclear power plant, NPP, nuclear reactor, uranium mining, development dynamics, location features

Abstract

The comprehensive analysis of the dynamics of development and the current state of nuclear energy production in the world was carried out based on the official statistics of international organisations in the energy sector (International Atomic Energy Agency, International Energy Agency). Using the retrospective method, the authors propose a periodisation of the development of the industry and give a description of the identified stages. On the basis of mathematical and statistical estimates, comparative geographic and cartographic approaches has been obtained a modern picture of the development of nuclear energy in the world in the country context. The analysis showed a gradual steady reduction in the share of nuclear generation in the global volume of electricity generation, which is taking place against the backdrop of curtailing the development of this energy sector in Western Europe and Japan against the backdrop of atomophobic sentiments of governments and the local population. However, the active development of nuclear energy in the Asia-Pacific region continues, which is confirmed by the intensive construction of nuclear power units in China and India as well as the prospects for the emergence of new countries on the world map of nuclear energy production (Belarus, United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh, Egypt, Turkey). In the context of the need to reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere and the depletion of hydrocarbon fuel reserves, coupled with their rise in prices on the world market, for many countries nuclear energy may become the only source of sustainable power generation in the short term, which will allow the industry to regain its lost positions in the global energy market.

Author Biographies

  • Liliya O. Sushkevich, Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

    PhD (geography); head of the department of economic and social geography, faculty of geography and geoinformatics

     

  • Aliaksei N. Shavel’, Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

    senior lecturer at the department of economic and social geography, faculty of geography and geoinformatics

     

  • Siargei S. Mikhailau, Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

    trainee lecturer at the department of soil science and geographic information systems, faculty of geography and geoinformatics

     

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Published

2023-12-28

Issue

No. 2 (2023): Journal of the Belarusian State University. Geography and Geology

Section

Geography

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How to Cite

[1]
Sushkevich, L.O. et al. 2023. Dynamics and spatial features of the development of nuclear energy in the world. Journal of the Belarusian State University. Geography and Geology. 2 (Dec. 2023), 31–48.