PATHS TO A NEW CENTURY PERSPECTIVES ON NUCLEAR DEVELOPMENT 20 YEARS AGO

摘要

In 1961, the peaceful uses of nuclear energy were just beginning to show their promise with a few small nuclear power plants operating in a few countries. At the end of 1980, there were 253 nuclear power reactors in operation in 22 Member States of the IAEA, generating 8% of the world's electricity. It is possible to forecast with a high degree of probability that this figure will rise to 17% by 1985. This corresponds to what could be produced by burning the whole annual production of oil from Saudi Arabia as known at present. Thus, it is evident that nuclear energy is making a significant impact in reducing the need to burn fossil fuels. Nuclear energy is helping to take the pressure off oil supplies.