Interest in advanced nuclear technologies is increasing during a time of uncertainty for the global nuclear industry, which is facing strong competition from low-cost natural gas and renewables. Next-generation nuclear technologies have the potential for significantly more cost-competitive power generation and improved economics. Market opportunities for these advanced nuclear concepts will likely be concentrated in countries with pro-nuclear policies and underdeveloped regions seeking to solidify their energy infrastructure with clean energy—for example, nuclear energy growth projections in the MENA/Sub-Saharan Africa region are trending upward, and the scarcity of water resources in the region overall would place high value on the desalination capabilities of many of the advanced reactors currently being developed. Ultimately, the commercial success of advanced nuclear technologies would depend on a range of factors: demonstration of inherent/passive safety characteristics, reduction of technical risks, modular construction, high thermal efficiencies, etc.
