It is too early to say what long- term impact the Fukushima disaster in Japan will have on plans for new nuclear power plants. But so far the effect has not been as dramatic as might have been anticipated.

Italy, Thailand, Egypt, the US and Switzerland have postponed or cancelled units since the accident, Germany has decided to abandon nuclear power and many states are reviewing safety procedures. However, China, India, Russia, South Korea and other big countries have all retained their programmes.

Of 570 units planned before Fukushima, only 37 have been axed or put on hold since the crisis, according to Arthur D. Little, a consultancy. Despite several commentators declaring an end to the “nuclear renaissance” – as the recent worldwide push for nuclear has been dubbed – governments apparently see few alternatives.