Global nuclear capacity reaches 400 GWe as World Nuclear Performance Report 2018 Asia Edition is published

For immediate release from World Nuclear Association
1 November 2018

The strong growth of nuclear generation in China is one of the features discussed in the World Nuclear Performance Report 2018 – Asia Edition, which has been launched at the Singapore International Energy Week conference this week.

Global operable nuclear capacity surpassed 400 GWe for the first time on 27 October 2018 with the supply of electricity to the grid from Tianwan 4, a VVER-1000 unit in China's Jiangsu province.

Tianwan 4 is the ninth reactor to be completed this year, seven of which have been built in China and two in Russia.

Launching the report at the SIEW conference, World Nuclear Association Director General Agneta Rising said;

“The number of new reactors scheduled to start up in 2018-19 is the highest in nearly 30 years. Two thirds of these reactors will be Asian countries.”

In 2017 a total of 480 TWh of electricity generated in Asia was from nuclear power. This was 7% higher than the previous year. Nuclear generation in Asia now represents 18.5% of the global total. The amount of electricity generated by nuclear power in Asia is twice that of 30 years ago.

Agneta Rising said;

“More and more countries are choosing to use nuclear energy as part of their sustainable energy mix because it provides a 24/7 supply of clean and affordable electricity. Reactors are under construction in UAE, Bangladesh, Turkey and Belarus, soon to join the 30 countries already using nuclear power.”

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Notes To Editors

World Nuclear Association is the international organisation that represents the global nuclear industry. Its mission is to promote a wider understanding of nuclear energy among key international influencers by producing authoritative information, developing common industry positions, and contributing to the energy debate, as well as to pave the way for expanding nuclear business.