Gyeongju: The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) emphasized the importance of nuclear power in addressing the increasing global electricity demand fueled by artificial intelligence (AI) data centers and digital transformation. In a video address at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi highlighted the dual challenges and opportunities that arise from the rapid growth of AI on energy consumption.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Grossi pointed out that data centers currently consume one and a half percent of global electricity, with this share increasing by over 10 percent annually. Major tech companies like Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and Meta are actively pursuing power purchase agreements and exploring nuclear energy options to power their AI data centers.
Grossi advocated for nuclear energy as a scalable, reliable, and low-carbon solution that complements renewable energy sources by providing stable power independent of weather conditions. He noted ongoing efforts in over two dozen countries to triple global nuclear capacity by mid-century, alongside around 30 newcomer nations developing civilian nuclear programs with IAEA support.
He further elaborated on the development of advanced nuclear technologies in APEC regions, such as small modular reactors (SMRs) and next-generation systems, which promise more flexible and efficient nuclear energy deployment. Grossi underscored the symbiotic relationship between AI and nuclear energy, suggesting that as economies become increasingly digital, the integration of these sectors is crucial.
The IAEA chief concluded by emphasizing the necessity of all clean energy sources to meet rising electricity demands, climate change challenges, and technological acceleration, positioning nuclear energy as a vital component of this energy transition strategy.