Today marks the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster in the Soviet Union, the world’s most infamous nuclear accident. For decades, the shadow of Chernobyl – and later the Fukushima meltdown in Japan following an earthquake and a tsunami – cast doubt on the safety of nuclear energy. Yet amid current geopolitical turmoil and energy insecurity, nuclear power is once again at the centre of global debate.

The immediate trigger is the crisis in the Middle East. The blockade of oil and gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz has sent shock waves across energy markets, exposing the fragility of global supply chains. Countries that once shelved nuclear projects are reconsidering them, driven by the urgent need to secure reliable energy sources. Asia and Africa, in particular, have seen renewed interest. China is accelerating its nuclear programme, India is expanding capacity and even Europe is revisiting its stance.

The irony is striking. Four decades after Chernobyl, nuclear power – long viewed with suspicion – is being recast as a pragmatic solution to an energy crisis. Advances in technology have helped shift perceptions. Third- and fourth-generation reactors are designed with greater safety margins than those of the Soviet-era plants. Proponents argue that nuclear energy offers a cost-effective, low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels, especially for nations unable to replicate China’s vast investments in solar and wind.

Still, caution is warranted. Fukushima remains a sobering reminder of the risks, with Japan still grappling with the disposal of contaminated water.

The line between civilian and military nuclear programmes also complicates the picture. Iran’s insistence on pursuing nuclear technology, despite international concerns, underscores the need for credible global oversight to ensure peaceful use.

The renewed nuclear debate also highlights another reality: nuclear plants take years, if not decades, to build. Meantime, attention is turning to renewable energy where conditions permit. Countries blessed with abundant sunshine or wind are investing heavily in clean power, recognising that diversification is the only true safeguard against future shocks.