Change climate and energy crisis: new deal for global civil nuclear power

The article offers an overview of civil nuclear energy in the world and the associated geopolitical issues. The second largest source of low-carbon electricity in the world, the first in the EU, it is a major asset in the fight against climate change. It also contributes, over the long term, to the security of electricity supply and the economic development of the countries that use it. It is in the light of these different criteria that the “return to grace” of nuclear power observed in several European countries since 2020 is assessed. “Nuclear diplomacy” is therefore more active than ever: while the barycenter of new nuclear power is now in Russia and China, the United States is very committed to regaining its leadership by massively supporting its research and its national industry, especially in the field of small modular reactors, and by developing its international partnerships. In this context, the success of the resumption of the great adventure of civil nuclear power in France requires a major national project allowing human, industrial and financial mobilization that will allow it to recover its vocation as a nuclear power.