Nuclear power in Zhenia



Zhenia is one of the largest producers of in not only Tarsis but Themys as a whole. As of 1608 AC, it produced a total of 2,955.3 terawatt-hours of electricity from over 200 reactors in 56 locations across the nation, accounting for around 56 percent of the nation's total annual electricity, with an overall capacity factor of around 89.5%. Being home to one of the most nuclear-dependent power grids in the world, Zhenia has been pointed at by domestic and international media alike as "a nation heavily armed with nuclear power".

Zhenia was a relatively latecomer to the global trend of nuclear energy, having opened its first experimental and commercial reactors in 1555 and 1563 AC respectively: however, amid active governmental support during the Third and Fourth Republics, it has developed into a global leader in nuclear research and development, as well as one of the largest users of nuclear energy today. Extensive reactor construction programs across the nation since the late 1570s AC has resulted in significant increases in total electricity production within the nation, as well as the decrease in its dependency on fossil fuels. A newer program starting in 1614 AC is expected to come with the introduction of commercial-grade reactors in mass production. As of 1610 AC, there are 7 additional locations with a total of 32 reactors that are under construction or being planned across the nation.

Zhenia has been active in nuclear power research, having built all generations of currently commercially available nuclear reactors to this day on its own. Its research, primarily headed by the Jungchuwon and associated institutes, involves several revolutionary technologies concerning advanced reactors, including liquid sodium fast/nuclear transmutation reactors, high-temperature hydrogen-powered reactors and small modular, mobile reactors, while it has also spearheaded researches in fuel production and waste management technologies. It remains a major global leader in international research programs, slated to complete the Gwangmyeong Thermonuclear Reactor, which is set to be one of the first practical nuclear fusion reactors when completed in 1615 AC.

Anti-nuclear movement
The installation of nuclear power plants under the Third Republic drew concerns and strong criticism from early on, with the connotation of "nuclear power" linking to atomic bombings over Jin-Nampo and Jinhae towards the end of the Second Great War. Although the Third Republic convinced the public that the installation of nuclear power was for peaceful means, there had already been movements linking the existence of nuclear power as the prelude to a second tragedy similar to the historic atomic bombings.