World Nuclear Outlook Report 2026 finds government ambitions sufficient to triple nuclear energy by 2050
World Nuclear Association's World Nuclear Outlook Report 2026 has found that national government ambitions are collectively more than enough to meet the goal set out in the Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy by 2050.
Launched at COP28 in Dubai, the declaration sets out a shared ambition for global nuclear capacity to at least triple from 2020 levels by 2050, in support of decarbonization and the Paris Agreement goals. With Togo's endorsement at World Nuclear Symposium 2026, 39 countries now back it. Meeting that goal, a key step to maintaining nuclear's contribution to climate mitigation, will now depend on turning those ambitions into real projects and programmes.
The report, now in its second edition, finds that if governments deliver on their plans and today's reactors keep running, global nuclear capacity could reach 1,457 GWe by 2050, exceeding the tripling goal by more than 200 GWe. Countries that already use nuclear energy would provide 1,303 GWe of this, enough to meet the goal on their own, while countries new to nuclear could add a further 154 GWe.
Nuclear's role in climate action
Nuclear already makes a major contribution to cutting emissions. In 2025 it generated a record 2,702 TWh, around 9% of the world's electricity, avoiding around 1.25 billion tonnes of CO₂ a year. With global electricity demand rising, tripling capacity is about making sure nuclear maintains and builds on that contribution as energy systems grow and decarbonise.
From ambition to delivery
The report shows that progress is being made, but not yet at the speed needed. Since the first edition was published in January, more projects have moved into construction or firm planning, and political support, institutional capacity and infrastructure readiness are improving across many countries. However, more than 550 GWe of the capacity needed to meet published government targets is not yet represented by projects under construction, planned or proposed.
To close that gap, the report sets out 12 recommendations for governments, industry, financiers and regulators, from durable policy and investment frameworks, streamlined regulation and stronger supply chains to early workforce development and a shift from one-off projects to sustained programmes. It also stresses that maintaining and extending the existing fleet is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to secure low-carbon electricity while new reactors are built.
Top three takeaways:
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Enough ambition: National targets add up to 1,457 GWe by 2050, exceeding the tripling goal by more than 200 GWe.
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Delivery is the challenge: 11 reactors started construction in 2025, but around six times as many will need to start each year by the mid-2030s.
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A roadmap to get there: 12 policy recommendations, from investment frameworks and workforce to moving from one-off projects to sustained programmes.
From Ambition to Action
The report's findings reflect the theme of this year's World Nuclear Symposium, "From Ambition to Action." Commenting on the report and its launch, Dr Sama Bilbao y León, Director General of World Nuclear Association, said: "This is an extraordinary moment for nuclear energy. Reflecting on another year of record performance, and looking ahead to a future of record ambition, governments are clear: they need much more nuclear energy to address the interconnected challenges of energy security, affordability, competitiveness and climate goals. But ambition alone will not deliver 24/7 clean energy."
Looking towards COP31
World Nuclear Association is working with the 39 countries that have endorsed the Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy by 2050, alongside industry, large energy users and financial institutions, to help turn ambition into action and ensure nuclear remains central to the climate agenda at COP31 in Türkiye.
Watch Dr Jonathan Cobb present the key findings of the World Nuclear Outlook Report 2026:
Read the full World Nuclear Outlook Report 2026 on the World Nuclear Association website.