Has nuclear power passed its prime?

Nuclear energy is perhaps one of this era’s most controversial and debatable source of energy. Used in a variety of applications, many economies and countries wouldn’t be able to function without nuclear energy for electricity and transportation needs. So, too, does the medical sector rely on the technologies that bring us nuclear energy to provide medical isotopes and methods for fighting disease.
Because of this, it is unlikely that there will be a total shift away from nuclear technology for at least a few generations. However, it is perhaps safe to say that nuclear energy is on a decline and technology is not being developed and built as it was in its heyday.
Germany, South Africa, and many other nations are increasingly turning their back on nuclear power and actively shutting down the plants currently in operation. Whereas many other countries are slowly phasing out nuclear power plants as they reach the end of their useful lives.
Contrastingly, there are still quite a number of new nuclear power plants being built and commissioned around the world, all of which are able to take advantage of advanced new nuclear technologies and additional safeguards that have been implemented following various nuclear disasters and incidents. Nuclear technology has proven itself to be a reliable source of energy, though it does come with very well-known risks.
Regardless of the state of the industry and its future, one thing, however, will remain and that is the legacy of nuclear waste. With 70 years of nuclear technology under our belt, the question of what to do with nuclear waste is becoming a pressing issue. Long-term storage was not originally planned during the pioneer days of the industry, and solutions must be sought regardless of a country’s stance on the development of new technology.
The nuclear industry is still very much alive, however, the focus is what’s constantly changing.