Global Energy Shock from Iran War Sparks Nuclear Power Push Across Asia and Africa

BY COMFORT OGBONNA

The ongoing Iran war is sending shockwaves through global energy markets, forcing countries across Asia and Africa to rethink how they produce and secure electricity. As disruptions to oil and gas supplies intensify, many nations are turning to nuclear energy—either by ramping up existing capacity or accelerating long-term plans to build reactors for the first time.

The crisis has hit Asia first and hardest, as the region relies heavily on Middle Eastern oil and natural gas. Shipping disruptions, particularly through key maritime routes, have severely constrained fuel supplies, creating immediate shortages. Africa soon felt similar pressure, while rising global energy prices are now affecting both the United States and Europe as well.

In response, countries that already operate nuclear plants are increasing their output to meet short-term energy demands. At the same time, nations without nuclear infrastructure are fast-tracking long-term strategies to adopt atomic energy, hoping to shield themselves from future fossil fuel disruptions. While nuclear power cannot provide an immediate solution—given that new plants can take years or even decades to build—the decisions being made now are likely to shape national energy systems for generations.

In Asia, the urgency is especially clear. South Korea is boosting electricity generation from its nuclear fleet and expediting maintenance work to bring offline reactors back into operation. Taiwan, facing mounting energy pressure, is debating whether to restart reactors that were previously shut down. Meanwhile, Japan is continuing a significant policy shift that began after the Fukushima nuclear disaster, when an earthquake and tsunami triggered a meltdown at a major nuclear facility. That event led to widespread shutdowns, but today’s energy crisis is pushing the country back toward nuclear reliance.

Japan has moved aggressively, restarting the massive Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant earlier this year and pursuing major international agreements to strengthen its nuclear supply chain. These include partnerships with the United States and France, as well as cooperation initiatives with countries like Indonesia. Rising electricity costs and supply concerns are also shifting public opinion in Japan, making nuclear energy more politically acceptable than it has been in years.

Elsewhere in Asia, countries are taking varied approaches to stabilize their energy supplies. Bangladesh is preparing to bring Russian-built reactors online to ease gas shortages, while Vietnam has signed agreements to develop new nuclear facilities. The Philippines, grappling with an energy emergency, is revisiting a long-abandoned nuclear plant project originally conceived during the oil crises of the 1970s.

Across Africa, the energy shock is having a similarly transformative effect. Many nations are experiencing soaring electricity costs and supply shortages, prompting renewed interest in nuclear power as a long-term solution. More than 20 African countries are now actively exploring or advancing nuclear energy plans, seeing it as a way to meet growing demand while reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels.

International competition is also intensifying as major powers seek to play a role in Africa’s nuclear future. Russia, through its state-owned corporation Rosatom, is already heavily involved in projects across the continent, including the construction of Egypt’s first nuclear plant and agreements with several other nations. Meanwhile, the United States is working to expand its presence, partnering with countries like Kenya and Ghana to promote advanced nuclear technologies.

One of the most talked-about innovations is the development of small modular reactors (SMRs). These smaller, more flexible systems are seen as a practical alternative to traditional large-scale nuclear plants, offering lower upfront costs and the ability to scale power generation over time. Countries like Kenya are investing in these technologies, although even SMRs can take years to deploy.

Supporters argue that nuclear energy offers a reliable, low-carbon source of electricity that can complement renewable energy systems. Unlike fossil fuels, nuclear power does not produce carbon dioxide during operation, making it an attractive option in the fight against climate change. However, significant concerns remain. Nuclear plants generate radioactive waste that must be carefully managed, and the risk of accidents—though rare—can have devastating consequences.

Critics also warn that expanding nuclear programs could increase the risk of nuclear weapons proliferation, as well as prolong dependence on imported materials like enriched uranium. Additionally, nuclear facilities can become strategic targets during conflicts, raising further questions about their role in national security planning.

Despite these challenges, the current energy crisis is accelerating what some experts describe as a global “nuclear renaissance.” Governments are increasingly weighing the risks of nuclear energy against the vulnerabilities exposed by dependence on oil and gas markets. For many countries in Asia and Africa, the Iran war has underscored a harsh reality: when fossil fuel supplies are disrupted, the economic and social consequences can be immediate and severe.

As a result, nuclear energy is no longer seen as a distant or optional investment. Instead, it is emerging as a strategic necessity for nations seeking long-term energy security in an increasingly uncertain world.