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Countries using nuclear energy |
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User countries
In 2005, nuclear energy represented only 1.94% of the primary energy (excluding wood) and 15% of the electricity consumed worldwide.
In many countries, nuclear electricity represents only a very small percentage of national production. In OECD countries, this percentage is on average around 25%.
In the emerging countries, this percentage should increase in the coming years, thus providing a way of meeting the enormous needs of these countries, the requirements of whose populations continue to increase rapidly.
The choice of nuclear energy is currently under question in a certain number of countries: Belgium, Germany, and Sweden. Under pressure from their public opinion, these countries have had to undertake to close down their reactors, respecting programmes whose duration varies from country to country. They will have to replace this energy by other means of energy production, which will be compatible with respect of the Kyoto undertakings concerning emissions of greenhouse gases.
Uranium reserves
Eight countries together account for almost 85% of world reserves. Estimated reserves in 2006 (reserves exploitable at a cost of less than 80 US$/ton) are the following:
| Pays |
Reserves of uranium (000t) at 01/01/06 |
Share of world reserves
(%) |
| Australia |
714 |
27 |
| Kazakhstan |
378 |
14 |
| Canada |
345 |
13 |
| Niger |
181 |
7 |
| S. Africa |
177 |
7 |
| Brazil |
157 |
6 |
| Namibia |
151 |
6 |
| United States |
102 |
4 |
| Uzbekistan |
60 |
2 |
| Ukraine |
59 |
2 |
| Mongolia |
46 |
1.5 |
| World total |
2643 |
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Source : Observatoire de l'énergie |
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World electricity generation from nuclear energy by geographical area (2005)
Source : Energy Information Administration / Department Of Energy |
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Most of these countries belong to the developed world, or are emerging or developing countries, which are not among the principal countries with petroleum and gas reserves (with the exception of Kazakhstan). The reserves represent more or less 50 years of consumption at present rates, that is to say largely comparable to those of gas and oil. However, they could be much larger than that. Indeed, it is difficult to evaluate real uranium resources. Exploration is not treated as a priority currently, since available stocks are sufficient. But this will change with the current renewal of interest in nuclear power. There are certainly deposits awaiting discovery.
And finally, exploitation of non-conventional uranium resources, for example those found in phosphates or in seawater, would allow reserves to be multiplied by at least a factor of 100. |
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