World Nuclear Power Reactors & Uranium Requirements

1 September 2016

In the 'planned' category, this table includes only those future reactors envisaged in specific plans and expected to be operating in the late 2020s.

The World Nuclear Association country profiles linked to this table cover both areas: near-term developments and the prospective long-term role for nuclear power in national energy policies. They also provide more detail of what is tabulated here.

Sources:
Reactor data: World Nuclear Association to 1/9/16 (excluding nine shutdown German units).
International Atomic Energy Agency Power Reactor Information System – for nuclear electricity production & percentage of electricity (% e).
World Nuclear Association, The Nuclear Fuel Report (September 2015, updated August 2016, reference scenario) – for U
63,404 tU = 74,772 t U₃O₈.

Operable = Connected to the grid.
Under Construction = First concrete for reactor poured, or major refurbishment underway.
Planned = Approvals, funding or commitment in place, mostly expected in operation within 8-10 years.
Proposed = Specific programme or site proposals, timing of start of operation very uncertain.

New plants coming on line are largely balanced by old plants being retired. Over 1996-2013, 66 reactors were retired as 71 started operation. There are no firm projections for retirements over the period covered by this Table, but we estimate that at least 60 of those now operating will close by 2030, most being small plants. The 2015 Nuclear Fuel Report reference scenario (Table 2.4) has 132 reactors closing by 2035, and 287 new ones coming on line (figures include 28 Japanese reactors on line by 2035).

TWh = terawatt-hours (billion kilowatt-hours); kWh = kilowatt-hour; MWe = megawatt (electrical as distinct from thermal)

** The world total includes six reactors operating on Taiwan with a combined capacity of 4927 MWe, which generated a total of 35.1 billion kWh in 2015 (accounting for 16.3% of Taiwan's total electricity generation). Taiwan has two reactors under construction with a combined capacity of 2700 MWe. It was expected to require 783 tU in 2016.

Note: This table is routinely updated approximately every two months, and more frequently as required.
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