Nuclear energy in the Post-Fukushima Era: Research on the developments of the Chinese and worldwide nuclear power industries

Abstract

The nuclear accident that occurred in Fukushima, Japan has broadly affected the rapid development trend of the worldwide nuclear industry, causing many countries, including China, to adjust their nuclear policies. However, as the impact of the accident is fading away, nuclear policies are differentiating worldwide. Hence, analysing nuclear policies in different countries and their trends after the Fukushima accident has a practical significance of promoting the effective and safe development of the nuclear power industry. This paper focuses on the nuclear accident in Fukushima, Japan, and its wide impact. First, the changes of the developmental policies and the trends of the nuclear powers, including China, are summarised just after the accident in Fukushima occurred. Next, the nuclear power development of the nuclear powers and China in the last two years is analysed with real data. Finally, this paper systematically predicts the developmental direction of the global nuclear industry according to the actual nuclear development status in each country.