At present there are about 440 reactors spread throughout 30 or so countries
of which 15 are members of the OECD. 24 reactors are under construction.
Nuclear energy is an energy that
requires a high level of technology and substantial initial investment.
At present, therefore, it has essentially been developed in the industrialised countries: Western Europe, the ex-Soviet Union, North America and Japan.
But it is now progressing in emerging countries
such as China, whose energy requirements are enormous. China has purchased nuclear power plants, in particular from France: France has constructed 2 plants, at Daya Bay and Ling Ao, and has trained Chinese personnel in their operation and management.
These transfers of technology allow developing countries access to this source of energy. But the international community sometimes views with misgivings the efforts of certain politically unstable countries to move towards this energy source. The risk of nuclear proliferation is
always present and terrorist threats are a constant concern.
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