Episode 14: The Nuclear Power Industry and National Security

In this episode we are joined by our HL colleague and Global Energy Practice Leader Amy Roma to discuss the nuclear energy industry.

 

We discuss global trends in the transition away from fossil fuels and the supply chain security implications and benefits of nuclear power. We examine how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has triggered a strong emphasis on energy security and resilience for countries not just in Europe but all across the globe, including an uptick of countries looking into nuclear capability that have no prior history with nuclear power. We consider how the significant trade relationships associated with providing nuclear power technology can become friendships and alliances to exert geopolitical influence (and the national security implications of the US not participating in the global nuclear market the way, for example, China and Russia are in sub-Saharan Africa). Finally, we explore the benefits of the latest generation of nuclear reactors (aka advanced nuclear reactors), recent developments in nuclear fusion, and the use of nuclear propulsion for space activities (including mining and deep space exploration).