Even in countries where policies are favourable to nuclear power, the risk is growing that its role in energy systems will be undermined and the coronavirus pandemic threatens to exacerbate the situation, an International Energy Agency commentary said.

In the commentary, IEA chief economist Laszlo Varro and head of the gas, coal and power markets division Peter Fraser said even before the start of the Covid-19 crisis, events over the past year had been following “a scenario of underinvestment in nuclear power”.

The commentary said nuclear is needed if the world is to achieve a sustainable recovery from the coronavirus pandemic that makes energy systems cleaner and more resilient.

From an operational point of view, nuclear plants performed well during lockdowns.