Post Fukushima - Reestablishment

Fukushima raised serious questions about nuclear safety and prompted a global building freeze on new atomic power plants. But as 2012 begins, it is becoming clear that the freeze is beginning to thaw.

Last year’s tsunami in Japan and the nuclear accident that followed at the Fukushima reactor threw up an unprecedented roadblock for the world’s atomic power industry.

Prior to the disaster, nuclear power had been enjoying a great name in large part to higher commodity prices and growing energy demand in developing economies. The Fukushima catastrophe – the world’s worst since the Chernobyl disaster of 1986 – stopped that resurgence dead in its tracks.

Germany’s decision to get out of the nuclear energy business was the most notable example since the Fukushima accident. And in Europe, at least, that decision seemed to forecast a real decline for the industry.

Seven months later, however, nuclear power suddenly looks as if it may be on the comeback trail.