\n The UN confirms that renewables have increased their lead over fossil and nuclear in terms of cost. The result is, wind and solar worldwide now generate 70% more electricity than nuclear.\n<\/p>\n
\n With each year nuclear adding only as much net global power capacity as renewables add every two days, nuclear is facing the same challenges as fossil fuel: uncompetitive costs, stranded assets, a polluting legacy and severe competition from renewables.\n<\/p>\n
\n Can new nuclear generate power in time?\n<\/p>\n
\n In 2025, world net nuclear capacity increased by 4.4 GW, not much more than the UK\u2019s Hinkley Point C project, and 180 times less than new solar and wind capacity.\n<\/p>\n
\n The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts 4600 GW new renewable capacity by 2030, meeting 90% of global electricity demand growth.\n<\/p>\n
\n Over the past decade we\u2019ve seen renewable electricity generation increase to triple that of nuclear.\n<\/p>\n
\n By the end of this decade renewables will out-generate nuclear by up to seven times.\n<\/p>\n
\n By the end of this decade renewables will out-generate nuclear by up to seven times. (Image: PA)\n<\/p>\n
\n Governments always pay lip service to energy efficiency measures but seldom back the option. Electricity saved is the cheapest, most secure and cleanest electricity option and has the double pay-off of reducing fuel poverty as well as its other benefits<\/a>. Yet the UK government is cutting energy efficiency spending.\n<\/p>\n \n With the few new nuclear projects under construction in Europe running years behind schedule and vastly over budget, the former chair of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission says there\u2019s not enough time for nuclear \u2013 neither large reactors nor small modular reactors (SMRs) \u2013 to make a realistic impact on the climate crisis. Now more so, after the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported that renewables are now 10 times more effective at cutting CO2\u202femissions than new nuclear.\n<\/p>\n \n The world has passed the point of no return and the direction of travel seems clear \u2013 renewables are now the least cost and the quickest technologies for climate mitigation and new power generation.\n<\/p>\n \n Now comes another new nuclear vision \u2013 powering a brave new world of artificial intelligence (AI).\n<\/p>\n \n The IEA forecasts renewables could power data-centre growth 10-20 times over, with Bloomberg NEF predicting a 100-fold renewables expansion.\n<\/p>\n \n READ MORE:<\/strong> Questions as Israel-linked Scottish charity sees income spike by 1750 per cent<\/strong><\/a>\n<\/p>\n \n These numbers are compelling and suggest the benefits of SMRs are questionable. The Financial Times said the technology is \u201calready losing its glow\u201d. As no commercial SMR design is under construction (much less operating), SMRs remain a long way away.\n<\/p>\n \n The average nuclear build has a doubling cost overrun. All this goes to explain why new nuclear is the most expensive option while unsubsidised solar and wind combined with energy storage (to ensure grid balancing) is increasing.\n<\/p>\n \n So it\u2019s not hard to see why the UN concludes that renewables are the default option for new power generation worldwide. In 2024, renewables investment totalled $2 trillion \u2013 more than double that of fossil fuel investment, and vastly more than nuclear, with 582 GW renewables added to the global energy system. That\u2019s 92.5% of all new power capacity added worldwide.\n<\/p>\n \n The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that global annual renewable capacity additions are set to rise to 935 GW each year by 2030 due to low generation costs compared to fossil and nuclear.\n<\/p>\n \n The challenge now is not generation, but how quickly grids, batteries and other options offering flexibility can be deployed.\n<\/p>\n \n Nuclear costs continue to rise while wind, solar, and battery storage are cheaper and more reliable and energy efficiency measures are even more attractive. New nuclear has limited operational need and a poor business<\/a> case.\n<\/p>\n \n In Europe, wind and solar generated more electricity than fossil fuel in 2025, providing 30% of pan-EU power, demonstrating just how rapidly a renewables power system can move.\n<\/p>\n \n In the UK, the Royal Society concluded that renewables plus long-duration storage are not only feasible but will be cheaper than a system with any level of nuclear power.\n<\/p>\n \n Although solar has delivered the fastest energy transition in history, it\u2019s set to be beaten by Battery Energy Storage Systems. The renewable revolution is here \u2013 on time and cost effective.\n<\/p>\n \n It is entirely possible to mitigate climate impact and sustain a reliable power system by expanding renewable energy in all sectors, rapid growth and modernisation of the electricity grid, storage technology roll-out, increased international interconnections, and using power far more effectively and efficiently via energy efficiency and management.\n<\/p>\n \n The compelling economics of renewables unmask those of fossil and nuclear. With all key international and national energy organisations and institutes agreeing that renewables will be doing the heavy lifting for the energy transition, the future backbone of the global power supply system will be renewable, sustainable and cost-effective.\n<\/p>\n \n Scotland has very great renewables potential and should play to its strengths. New nuclear is already too late and too costly for the climate and energy crises.\n<\/p>\n \n This article was written by:<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n \n Dr Paul Dorfman, Bennett Scholar, Bennett Institute, University of Sussex;\n<\/p>\n \n Dr Keith Baker, Dept of Civil Engineering & Environmental Management, Glasgow Caledonian University;\n<\/p>\n \n Professor Nick Eyre, Energy and Climate Policy, University of Oxford;\n<\/p>\n