#634 | Nuclear Power's Unlikely Comeback

Nuclear power was meant to disappear in much of Europe, but Germany, Belgium and Italy are changing their minds. Rising energy demand, climate concerns and artificial intelligence are making old reactors and new designs attractive again. Germany’s Chancellor admits closing nuclear plants was a serious strategic mistake Belgium cancels its nuclear shutdown law and plans longer reactor use Italy approves plans to return to nuclear power after decades of bans Energy security and climate needs make nuclear support grow across political groups Wind and solar need nuclear’s steady electricity when weather conditions change AI data centres increase electricity demand and face long waits for grid connections Technology companies fund reactors, including Microsoft restarting a Three Mile Island reactor High construction costs delay projects, while governments support financing and smaller reactors Finland prepares deep underground nuclear waste storage, designed to last 100,000 years Fusion investment grows, promising low-carbon power without a possible reactor meltdown Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcas