Nuclear power plants well suited to replace coal-fired power plants Current pace of reactor construction far slower than what is needed to achieve net zero world Limited – albeit increasing – public acceptance and policy support are obstacles to new-buildNuclear energy is key to achieving global net zero objectives, but maintaining capacity is essential, with operating lifetime extensions and about 550 GW – equivalent to about 500 large-scale reactors – needed by 2050, the International Atomic Energy Agency says.