India has 22 reactors at seven nuclear power plants located both inland and along the coast.

Namibia has significant uranium mines capable of providing 10% of world mining output. Its first commercial uranium mine began operating in 1976. There is strong government support for expanding uranium mining and some interest in using nuclear power.

Brazil has one nuclear power plant at Angra, 200km west of Rio de Janeiro.

Brazil has two nuclear reactors generating about 3% of its electricity. Construction began on a third reactor in 2010, was suspended in 2015, recommenced in November 2022, but suspended again in April 2023. The country's first commercial nuclear power reactor began operating in 1982.

On the occasion of the 10th Review Conference of the Parties to the NPT held in New York, representatives of international and national industry associations, and their members, expressed their collective support for the NPT as a cornerstone of their industries.

Nuclear energy is an excellent source of process heat for various industrial applications including desalination, synthetic and unconventional oil production, oil refining, biomass-based ethanol production, and in the future: hydrogen production.

There is strong interest in small and simpler units for generating electricity from nuclear power, and for process heat. Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) represent a broad suite of designs that seek to apply the principles of modularity, factory fabrication, and serial production to nuclear energy.

Substantial amounts have been invested in energy R&D over the last 30 years, much directed at developing nuclear energy. Nowhere in the world is nuclear power subsidised per unit of production. In some countries however it is taxed because production costs are so low.

Electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles which are able to be charged from mains power have potential to greatly increase the demand for base-load power from grid systems. Development of these depends critically on battery technology.

Fuel fabrication is the final stage in nuclear fuel preparation prior to use in a reactor. Nuclear fuel assemblies are specifically designed for particular types of reactors and are made to exacting standards.

Burning coal without adding to global carbon dioxide levels is a major technological challenge. The greatest challenge is bringing the cost of capture and storage technology down sufficiently for 'clean coal' to compete with nuclear power.

Burning coal without adding to global carbon dioxide levels is a major technological challenge. The greatest challenge is bringing the cost of capture and storage technology down sufficiently for 'clean coal' to compete with nuclear power.

Rock phosphate deposits contain many million tonnes of uranium, which may be extracted as a by-product of making fertilizers. The process because uneconomic in the 1990s, but process improvements and higher U prices may change this.

Hydrogen is widely seen as a future transport fuel. Nuclear energy can be used to make hydrogen electrolytically, and in the future high-temperature reactors are likely to be used to make it thermochemically.

The government is heavily involved through safety and environmental regulations, R&D funding, and setting national energy goals. The commitment to nuclear power as part of the USA's long-term energy strategy continues with the Trump administration.

Nuclear energy makes a “significant contribution” to the IEA's Net Zero Emissions scenario, and will provide an “essential foundation” in the transition to a net-zero energy system.

Nuclear energy makes a “significant contribution” to the IEA's Net Zero Emissions scenario, and will provide an “essential foundation” in the transition to a net-zero energy system.

Nuclear energy makes a “significant contribution” to the IEA's Net Zero Emissions scenario, and will provide an “essential foundation” in the transition to a net-zero energy system.

Green technologies are being deployed with the aim of making modern societies more sustainable. It is therefore essential to consider the mineral resource and physical mining realities associated with the energy transition.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has called for nuclear energy to receive “clear and consistent policy support for existing and new capacity, including clean energy incentive schemes for development of nuclear alongside other clean forms of energy.”

The energy projections produced by the International Energy Agency (IEA) are frequently consulted by policymakers, the media, and analysts. This information page discusses the nuclear power sector projections of the main IEA scenarios alongside those produced by other organizations.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) World Energy Outlook (WEO), shows an increased recognition for nuclear energy in their Net Zero Emissions by 2050 (NZE) scenario, the most ambitious aiming to limit global warming to 1.5°C. At the same time, this trajectory to keep the goals of the Paris Agreement within reach, still underestimates the potential of nuclear energy to meet climate, energy security and sustainable development goals.

World Nuclear Association welcomes the IEA’s report “The Path to a New Era for Nuclear Energy”

We welcome the IEA’s recognition of the potential for nuclear energy to play an important role in the transition to a clean energy system and we strongly endorse the IEA’s call for more investment in clean energy, including nuclear energy.

Today the International Energy Agency (IEA) has released an energy-focussed COVID-19 recovery plan identifying actions that will “move the world towards a cleaner and more resilient future.” Investment in existing nuclear plants, new nuclear build and supporting innovation in small modular reactors are among measures proposed to support a broad range of clean energy technologies.

The world will need significantly increased energy supply in the next 30 years, especially cleanly-generated electricity. Electricity demand is increasing much more rapidly than overall energy use.

The International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook (WEO) projects more than a doubling of nuclear generation by 2050 in its Net Zero Emissions by 2050 (NZE) scenario.

World Nuclear Association attends the Global Conference on Energy & AI  

Without action to provide more support for nuclear power, global efforts to transition to a cleaner energy system will become drastically harder and more costly.

The increase in nuclear generation globally seen in 2019 helped avoid an additional 50 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions (50 MtCO₂), according to data released yesterday by the IEA. "The challenge of climate change is so immense that we cannot afford to exclude low-carbon technologies" according to International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director, Fatih Birol.

We welcome the IEA’s recognition of the potential for nuclear energy to play an important role in the transition to a clean energy system and we strongly endorse the IEA’s call for more investment in clean energy, including nuclear energy.

World Nuclear Association Director General Agneta Rising said, “The IEA report is right to conclude that a coordinated policy effort will be needed to harvest opportunities including moving towards a more modern, cleaner and resilient energy sector for all.”

Energy conversion: the heat values of uranium and various fossil fuels.

Most of the commercial nuclear power reactors in the world today require uranium 'enriched' in the U-235 isotope for their fuel. The commercial process employed for this enrichment involves gaseous uranium hexafluoride in centrifuges.

We coordinate the Harmony programme on behalf of the nuclear community to identify the measures that need to be put in place to deliver a low-carbon future to which nuclear energy fully contributes.

Niger has two significant uranium mines providing about 5% of world mining output from Africa's highest-grade uranium ores. Niger's first commercial uranium mine began operating in 1971.

Nuclear has an essential part to play in delivering a clean, affordable and secure energy future according to a new IEA report

The new Nuclear Energy Technology Roadmap published by the IEA and OECD NEA says nuclear energy allows countries to build scalable, efficient and long-term power sources that can serve as a base to underpin other forms of low-carbon generation. The report says nuclear global capacity must more than double by 2050, with nuclear supplying 17% of global electricity generation by then, to meet the IEA 2 Degree Scenario for the most effective and efficient means of limiting global temperature rise.

Nuclear energy can play a key role in the post-COVID strategic recovery by boosting economic growth. It supports - in a cost-effective manner - the development of a low-carbon, resilient electricity infrastructure and creates jobs and economic development in the long-term.

Improvements in nuclear construction times are now making climate goals more achievable than previously thought, according to a new report from the International Energy Agency.

The report states that “policy support is needed to encourage long-term operation of the existing fleet and construction of new plants, given their vital contribution to GHG emissions reductions, as well as their contribution to energy security."

This report highlights that new nuclear build is justified in many countries on the strength of today’s economic criteria and identifies the key risks associated with a nuclear power project and how these may be managed to support a business case for nuclear investment.

About 30 countries are actively considering, planning or starting nuclear power programmes.

US Uranium Mining and Exploration. Uranium mining in the USA today is undertaken by few companies on a relatively small scale. Uranium exploration is undertaken by many companies, often going over areas that were mined in the 1950-80s.

Lithium-7 has two important uses in nuclear power due to its relative transparency to neutrons. As hydroxide it is necessary in small quantities for safe operation in PWR cooling systems as a pH stabilizer, and as a fluoride it is also expected to come into much greater demand for molten salt reactors.

The World Nuclear University Primer on Nuclear Energy in the 21st Century is an authoritative resource for educators, students, policy-makers and interested lay-people alike.

The World Energy Outlook 2017 report, published today by the International Energy Agency, foresees a substantially expanded role for nuclear energy if the world is to meet the challenges of people’s development needs, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions to avoid dangerous levels of climate change.

Nuclear energy is an important pillar of a future energy system aimed at meeting the world’s growing energy needs and avoiding the worst effects of climate change, according to a new report published today by the International Energy Agency.

Romania has two nuclear reactors generating about 20% of its electricity. Romania's first commercial nuclear power reactor began operating in 1996 and its second started up in May 2007.

"The nuclear industry stands ready to deliver more to help tackle climate change. Nuclear generation could provide 25% of the world's electricity with low carbon generation by having 1000 gigawatts of new build by 2050."

To limit the impacts of climate change, the world must rapidly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. Nuclear energy is low-carbon and can supply the world with clean, reliable, and affordable electricity. 

To limit the impacts of climate change, the world must rapidly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. Nuclear energy is low-carbon and can supply the world with clean, reliable, and affordable electricity. 

Turkey has had plans for establishing nuclear power generation since 1970. The country's first nuclear power plant, at Akkuyu, commenced construction in April 2018.

British scientists were preeminent in the development of nuclear energy through to the early 1940s and a domestic nuclear industry grew to provide up to one third of electricity before starting to gradually retire. Now the country is working to build a new wave of power plants.

The 1970 energy crises led to a major expansion of nuclear capacity as countries sought to diversify their sources of energy supply and reduce dependence on the continual import of large volumes of fossil fuels. For many countries, the appraisal of recent events and, in particular, surging fossil fuel prices, has led to similar decisions that that may result in a greater role for nuclear energy.

Read our highlights from May to find out where we were and how we’ve been helping drive the global nuclear agenda forward. 

We believe it is only natural that a technologically sophisticated country like Australia should seek to make use of nuclear energy as it attempts to address its energy, environmental and economic challenges. 

Key points from the discussion between Dario Liguti, UNECE, Christopher McGlade, IEA, Jessica Johnson, nucleareurope and King Lee, World Nuclear Association at the #ATOMS4CLIMATE pavilion at COP27

Uranium was produced from the Dornod deposit in Mongolia by Russian interests to 1995. Mongolia has substantial known uranium resources and geological prospectivity for more. Since 2008 Russia has re-established its position in developing Mongolian uranium.

List of nuclear regulatory organizations

Energy storage on a large scale has become a major focus of attention and research as intermittent renewable energy has become more prevalent.

Energy storage on a large scale has become a major focus of attention and research as intermittent renewable energy has become more prevalent.

The event explored how nuclear energy can contribute to a more affordable, secure and sustainable energy future.

The potential to accelerate standardized reactor deployment through increased cooperation between national regulatory authorities and developing frameworks that involve all stakeholders.

Global nuclear generation capacity is set to grow from today's 379 GWe to 552 GWe by 2035, according to the reference scenario of the World Nuclear Association Nuclear Fuel Report.

Governments, civil society, scientists, academia, and the private sector need to work together, combining their skills and expertise

Radioactive material accounts for a very small proportion of all dangerous material shipped each year. About 20 million consignments of radioactive material are transported each year on public roads, railways, and ships. 

Natural sources account for most of the radiation we all receive each year. Up to a quarter originates mainly from medical procedures. 

The World Bank has an outdated policy that doesn’t make the most of all clean technologies, especially the services nuclear gives to society and the electricity system.

World Nuclear Association and The Department of Physics in the Faculty of Science and Technology at The University of the West Indies formalized a strategic partnership to donate Nuclear Energy in the 21st Century by Ian Hore-Lacy to selected secondary schools across Jamaica. 

Nuclear power is cost competitive with other forms of electricity generation, except where there is direct access to low-cost fossil fuels. In assessing the economics of nuclear power, decommissioning and waste disposal costs are fully taken into account.

Nuclear generation helps progress towards the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, according to comments made by Agneta Rising, World Nuclear Association Director General, during the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe’s (UNECE) Ministerial Conference of the Ninth International Forum on Energy for Sustainable Development.

A panel of energy experts have called on negotiators to enable all low carbon technologies to fulfil their full potential.

The nuclear industry must stand ready to meet the challenge of supplying the growing demand for low carbon electricity that must result from the forthcoming COP 21 climate change negotiations in Paris. 

Last week World Nuclear Association attended this year’s Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) conference, an important annual conference addressing energy issues not only for Singapore, but for the south-east Asia region. Read more>

Today at the International Conference on Climate Change and the Role of Nuclear Power Agneta Rising, Director General of World Nuclear Association said “The nuclear industry is committed to delivering what it needs to do to save our planet from climate change.”

The Association participated in India Energy Week 2025, held from February 11 to 14 in New Delhi, and The Times Group ET NOW Global Business Summit 2025, also taking place in India. 

Improved designs of nuclear power reactors are currently being developed in several countries. Newer advanced reactors now being built have simpler designs which reduce capital cost. They are more fuel efficient and are inherently safer.

There are about 440 commercial nuclear power reactors operable in over 30 countries, with about 400 GWe of total capacity. About 70 more reactors are under construction. Over 50 countries operate a total of about 220 research reactors and a further 180 nuclear reactors power around 140 ships and submarines.

Ahead of the forthcoming IEA report on Net Zero, national and regional associations joined World Nuclear Association in calling for acceleration of the scale and timeframe for investment in new nuclear capacity

Ahead of the forthcoming IEA report on Net Zero, national and regional associations joined World Nuclear Association in calling for acceleration of the scale and timeframe for investment in new nuclear capacity

Australia's Electricity (appendix to: Australia's Uranium, and nuclear power prospects). Australia is heavily dependent on coal for electricity, more so than any other developed country except Denmark and Greece. About 80% is derived from coal.

Uranium Production in Canada Appendix 1 Brief History of Uranium Mining in Canada Early uranium mining In Canada, uranium ores first came to public attention in the early 1930s when the Eldorado Gold Mining Company began operations at Port Radium, Northwest Territories,

Over 300 industry leaders, policymakers, and technical experts met in Montreal, Canada for World Nuclear Fuel Cycle (WNFC) 2025 conference, held from April 8–10. 

Radioisotope power sources have been an important source of energy in space since 1961. Fission power sources have been used mainly by Russia, but new and more powerful designs are under development in the USA.

Jordan imports most of its energy and seeks greater energy security as well as lower electricity prices. It had been planning to build a 2000 MWe nuclear power plant for operation by 2025, to provide nearly half its electricity, but is now considering the use of small modular reactors instead. Jordan has significant uranium resources, some in phosphorite deposits.

If we are going to stand any chance of combatting climate change and keeping global temperature increases to 1.5^oC and at the same time provide reliable and affordable electricity to all that will need it, we are going to need nuclear energy.

Climate change is a worldwide problem and policy responses have accordingly had an international basis; the principal focus has been on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Most uranium mining in the USA and Kazakhstan is now by in situ leach methods.  In the USA, ISL is seen as the most cost effective and environmentally acceptable method of mining, and Australian experience supports this.

Climate change is a worldwide problem and policy responses have accordingly had an international basis; the principal focus has been on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Australia's Uranium Deposits and Prospective Mines. Summary of Resources Available in Major Deposits and Prospective Mines

Japanese Waste and MOX Shipments from Europe Appendix: From BNFL Media Brief 4 December 1996, "Shipments of Nuclear Materials Between Europe and Japan"