Energy Demand Drives Uranium Price Escalation
440
305
200
28t
7yrs
Nuclear power stations operate world wide
Nuclear power stations under / pre construction
Proposed builds in the Asian Region
Of Uranium needed per gigawatt of power per year
New Capacity coming on line
Currently, there are 440 nuclear power stations in operation worldwide, collectively generating 391.7 GW of power and supplying more than 2,653 TWh of electricity. Furthermore, there are 305 nuclear power stations either under construction, in pre-construction phases, or announced, with the potential to add an additional 288 GW to the global nuclear capacity. Notably, the Asian region is at the forefront of this nuclear expansion, with over 200 of these proposed nuclear builds planned for the area. To sustain these nuclear facilities, approximately 28 tons of uranium are required per gigawatt of power per year. As a result, the existing nuclear power fleet necessitates an annual supply of 62,496 tons (137,780,085 pounds) of uranium. With new capacity scheduled to come online in the next seven years, an additional 17,524,104 pounds of uranium per year will be needed to support this growth.
Uranium Supply is in a Deep, Sustained, Multi-Year Deficit
Demand vs. Existing Supply Sources
The global supply chain for nuclear fuel faces a multifaceted landscape. One significant source is the winding down of nuclear warheads, which is being converted into nuclear fuel. However, this supply source may be influenced by sovereign instability and geopolitical polarisation, particularly in regions like Russia, China, and Ukraine. These factors could impose limitations on the accessibility of nuclear materials. Moreover, mine depletion and the closure of nuclear facilities add additional strain to the supply chain. In the context of efforts to combat climate change, nuclear power has been singled out as an imperative source of base power supply, intensifying the demand for nuclear fuel as countries seek to meet their energy needs while reducing carbon emissions. This complex interplay of factors underscores the challenges and importance of maintaining a reliable and sustainable nuclear fuel supply.