Iran’s Nuclear Industry Has Reached Full Maturity

Explaining the objectives and significance of the participation of the Iranian delegation in the International Conference on Nuclear Power in South Korea, Kamalvandi said the global nuclear industry comprises two main sectors: energy and non-energy applications.

He noted that nuclear technology is used in various non-energy fields, including nuclear medicine, agriculture, and industry, while electricity generation constitutes a major part of the nuclear energy sector.

The sixth ministerial conference on nuclear energy is currently being held in South Korea, he said, adding that growing global environmental challenges may be among the reasons for the increasing attention to nuclear energy in recent years. These challenges have become a serious concern for the international community and further highlight the need to move toward nuclear energy, he noted.

Kamalvandi also pointed to the growing demand for electricity driven by advances in modern technologies, including artificial intelligence and digital technologies, as well as the electrification of vehicles. These developments have made the expansion of nuclear power generation an undeniable necessity, he stressed.

He explained that electricity generated by nuclear power plants is technically classified as “baseload” power, distinguishing it from certain other clean energy sources, such as wind and solar, whose output depends on weather conditions, sunlight intensity, and wind speeds.

In contrast, nuclear power plants can provide stable and continuous electricity generation, a characteristic that further underscores the importance of developing nuclear power facilities, he added.

Referring to Iran’s capabilities in modern technologies, Kamalvandi said his approximately 14 years of continuous service at the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran had given him confidence in the country’s nuclear achievements.

“Given my approximately 14 years of continuous service at the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, I can say with confidence that the nation’s nuclear industry has reached full maturity, and we have now achieved self-sufficiency in the construction of nuclear power plants,” he said.