World Nuclear Power Reactors & Uranium Requirements

6 July 2017

In the 'planned' category, this table includes only those future reactors envisaged in specific plans and expected to be operating by 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 1/7/17
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 30.5 TWh in 2016 (accounting for 13.7% of Taiwan's total electricity generation). Taiwan has two reactors under construction with a combined capacity of 2700 MWe. It was expected to require 771 tU in 2017.

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