1.2.4. Nuclear Fuels
Nuclear energy is - as a result of its stage of development - the only realistic solution to the energy supp!y problem of the next decades. Its economic viability has been proven. The nuclear fuels offer an alternative to fossil fuels in important areas, particularly in the generation of electricity. In 1995, 17 % of the electricity worldwide was produced in 437 nuclear reactors, and an additional 59 reactors are under construction. Most nuclear power plants are in the USA, followed by France and Japan. The uranium and thorium deposits are immense and are widely distributed throughout the world. In 1995, the world production of uranium was 33 000 tonnes. Canada supplied the largest portion with 9900 tonnes, followed by Australia, Niger, the USA and the CIS.