Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Progress in Nuclear Energy, cilt.188, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Accelerating climate change effects have highlighted the importance of clean and sustainable energy sources and shaped energy policies worldwide. There is a shift towards clean energy sources; however, the intermittent nature of renewable sources like wind and solar energy remains a significant challenge. In this context, nuclear energy emerges as a key facilitator of the transition to clean energy due to its ability to provide energy security, zero carbon emissions during electricity generation, and lower life cycle emissions than fossil fuels and some renewables. This study examines the nuclear energy policies globally and in Türkiye within the context of combating climate change. The role of nuclear energy in achieving Türkiye's net-zero emission target is analyzed through an optimization model involving three scenarios based on the minimization of CO2 emissions. The first scenario assumes that nuclear energy is not part of Türkiye's expansion alternatives (non-nuclear scenario). The business-as-usual scenario assumes the current nuclear policy. The last scenario assumes no limitations on nuclear energy (free nuclear scenario). Results show that while 2030 emission targets are achievable in all scenarios, the net-zero goal by 2053 is unattainable, even in the free nuclear scenario with the lowest emissions.