Could these be the next ASX energy stocks to rocket?

ASX energy stocks focused on coal, gas, and oil have offered investors some outsized returns over the past year.

The fossil fuel energy shares have benefited from rocketing prices as much of the world scrambles to replace Russian supplies, restricted following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

But what about ASX energy shares digging up a different source of power?

Yes, I'm talking about ASX uranium stocks.

How have these alternate ASX energy stocks been tracking?

Over the past 12 months, only one of the four leading uranium miners is in the green.

Here's how their share prices have moved since this time last year:

• The Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) share price is down 20%
• Bannerman Energy Ltd (ASX: BMN) shares are down 25%
• The Deep Yellow Limited (ASX: DYL) share price has lost 24%
• Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) shares are up 3%

However, 2023 is looking more promising for these alternative ASX energy stocks. That's partly due to a 6% increase in the uranium price since 1 January, currently at US$51 per pound.

Here's how these companies have performed since the opening bell on 3 January:

• The Paladin Energy share price is up 5%
• Bannerman Energy shares are up 3%
• The Deep Yellow share price is down 3%
• Boss Energy shares are up 26%

Could uranium stocks be the next ones to rocket?

While the global demand for uranium isn't going to soar overnight, the trend is certainly pointing to long-term growth.

And investors with longer-term horizons could well help bid up ASX energy stocks focused on uranium in the lead-up to forecast increases in demand.

Even the Japanese look to be overcoming their fear of nuclear power. Those fears were stoked by the 2011 Fukushima Dai-ichi power plant disaster. The facility suffered a meltdown in the aftermath of an earthquake-driven tsunami.

That saw all of Japan's 54 reactors shut down for safety inspections.

Today, only 33 of those reactors remain in operable condition, and only 10 of those are up and running.

According to a report by Bloomberg, those 10 plants produce roughly 10% of Japan's electricity needs.

And in what could be good news for ASX energy stocks digging up uranium, a survey by Japanese publication Asahi Shimbun indicates that 51% of Japanese people now are in favour of restarting the idle reactors, with 42% opposed. That's the first time a majority has supported the move since the paper commenced polling in the wake of the meltdown.

Now, it's unlikely Japan will fire up all of its idle reactors overnight. Or even this year.

But prime minister Fumio Kishida is among those in favour of nuclear power. Atop extending the lifespan of existing plants, Japan is also looking into building next-generation reactors.

And it's not just Japan eyeing a big lift in nuclear power.

ASX energy stocks producing uranium could also see increased demand from France and Germany. Both nations are now considering extending the life spans of their own reactors, rather than shuttering them early.

The United Kingdom is going a step further, with ambitious plans to build a series of new modular reactors.

Then there's China, which has some 17 large-scale nuclear power stations under construction.

Again, this is a long-term trend.

But with Australia having the world's largest proven uranium reserves, ASX uranium shares are well-positioned to take advantage of the growing global interest in nuclear energy.