China has become largely self-sufficient in reactor design and construction, as well as other aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle. The strong impetus for nuclear power in China is increasingly due to air pollution from coal-fired plants.
While India and China are alike in having large aspirations to produce clean energy in the 21st century using nuclear power, the two countries occupy quite different positions in relation to the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
China has become self-sufficient in most aspects of the fuel cycle. The country aims to produce one-third of its uranium domestically, obtain one-third through foreign equity in mines and joint ventures overseas, and to purchase one-third on the open market.
Mainland China has 55 operable reactors, primarily at sites along its southeast coastline.
Mainland China has 58 operable reactors with a total capacity of 57 GWe.
A detailed list of the multitude of companies and organisations involved in China's nuclear energy scene.
Taiwan shut down its last reactor, Maanshan 2, on 17 May 2025
Continuing the strong cooperation between Chinese and international nuclear companies will ensure that China can play its part in the global nuclear supply chain. WNA Director General Agneta Rising said: "We must build on the international partnerships forged in developing China's nuclear generation programme so that China can play its part in delivering the global expansion of clean and reliable nuclear energy the world so clearly needs."
Taiwan has two operable nuclear power reactors with a combined capacity of 1874 MWe.
The world’s first AP1000 power reactor (developed by US-based Westinghouse) was connected to the grid at Sanmen in China and generated electricity for the first time on Saturday 30th June. This came a day after the world’s first EPR (developed by France’s Framatome) was connected at Taishan, also in China. The official start of electricity production from these two advanced reactors marks the beginning of a new chapter for the global nuclear industry. It is also a proud day for China’s burgeoning nuclear sector and testimony to the rich benefits of international cooperation in nuclear innovation.
Asia is the main region in the world where electricity generating capacity and specifically nuclear power is growing significantly. The greatest growth in nuclear generation is expected in China.
The strong growth of nuclear generation in China is one of the features discussed in the World Nuclear Performance Report 2018 – Asia Edition, which wa launched at the Singapore International Energy Week conference.
Prior to enrichment, uranium oxide must be converted to a fluoride so that it can be processed as a gas, at low temperature. Conversion plants are operating commercially in Canada, China, France, Russia and the USA.
A major increase in uranium mine production is planned. There is increasing international involvement in parts of Russia's fuel cycle. Exports are a major Russian policy and economic objective.
Nuclear power capacity worldwide is increasing steadily. Most reactors under construction are in the Asian region. Significant further capacity is being created by plant uprating.
Pakistan has six operating reactors. Because Pakistan is outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty due to its weapons programme, it is largely excluded from trade in nuclear plant or materials, which hinders its development of civil nuclear energy.
A critical issue for accelerating nuclear power plant construction is the availability of heavy engineering plants to make the reactor components, especially for those units of more than 1100 MWe. There has been considerable new investment in major forges and manufacturing plants.
A large amount of uranium is in rare earths deposits, and may be extracted as a by-product. Higher uranium prices and geopolitical developments would enhance the economic potential for recovering these.
Pakistan has six operating nuclear power reactors at two sites: Chashma and Karachi.
Global nuclear electricity generation rose to 2602 TWh in 2023, up from 2544 TWh in 2022, providing 9% of the world’s electricity—second only to hydropower among clean energy sources.
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.
An overview of key global results.
Opening remarks from our Director General, Sama Bilbao y León.
An overview of key global results, with high resolution images.
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.
Radioactive materials which occur naturally and where human activities increase the exposure of people to ionising radiation are known by the acronym 'NORM'. NORM results from activities such as burning coal, making and using fertilisers, oil and gas production.
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.
Pakistan has six operating nuclear power reactors at two sites.
Many of the world's nuclear reactors are used for research and training, materials testing, or the production of radioisotopes for medicine and industry. There are about 220 such reactors operating, in 53 countries.
An international task force is developing six nuclear reactor technologies for deployment between 2020 and 2030. Four are fast neutron reactors. All six systems represent advances in sustainability, economics, safety, reliability and proliferation-resistance.
World Nuclear Association congratulates all involved with the design, construction and commissioning of the Fuqing 5 Hualong One nuclear power reactor. The unit was connected to the grid at 00:41 local time on 27 November and has started to deliver electricity.
World Nuclear Association launches a special update to its 2017 World Nuclear Performance Report focusing on developments in Asia.
Bangladesh plans to have two large Russian nuclear power reactors in operation in the 2020s. This is to meet rapidly-increasing demand and reduce dependence on natural gas.
The publication today of The World Nuclear Supply Chain Outlook 2040 provides a market-oriented review of the opportunities and challenges for nuclear power plants and their supply chain, including scenarios for the evolution of nuclear energy over the next two decades.
Unit 1 of Belarus's first nuclear power plant was connected to the grid in November 2020. A second VVER-1200 unit was connected to the grid in May 2023.
A preview of our upcoming World Nuclear Outlook Report 2025, which reviews government plans and goals for nuclear capacity over the next 25 years.
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.
Molten salt reactor use molten fluoride salts as primary coolant, at low pressure. Much of the interest today in reviving the MSR concept relates to using thorium (to breed fissile uranium-233).
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.
Kazakhstan has 14% of the world's uranium resources. It is the world's leading uranium producer. The government is committed to increased uranium exports, and is considering future options for nuclear power.
Nuclear generation reached a near-record high in 2019, with output reaching 2657 TWh, enough to meet more than 10% of the world’s electricity demand, according to the World Nuclear Association Performance Report 2020, which was published today.
About 30 countries are actively considering, planning or starting nuclear power programmes.
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.
World Nuclear Association has launched the 2021 edition of The Nuclear Fuel Report, concluding that the positive trend in nuclear generating capacity projections that began in the previous (2019) report continues.
Saudi Arabia has plans to establish a civil nuclear power industry.
Electricity is essential for modern life, yet almost one billion people live without access to it. Challenges such as climate change, pollution and environmental destruction require that we change the way we generate electricity.
Argentina has three operable nuclear reactors generating about 5% of its electricity. Its first commercial nuclear power reactor began operating in 1974.
Fast neutron reactors offer the prospect of vastly more efficient use of uranium resources and the ability to burn actinides which are otherwise the long-lived component of high-level nuclear waste. Some 400 reactor-years' experience has been gained in operating them.
Thorium is more abundant in nature than uranium. It is fertile rather than fissile, and can be used in conjunction with fissile material as nuclear fuel. The use of thorium as a new primary energy source has been a tantalizing prospect for many years.
The 2022 edition of the World Nuclear Performance Report reviews the global nuclear industry’s record in the electricity supply and reactor construction.
Production from world uranium mines has in recent years supplied 90% of the requirements of power utilities. Primary production from mines is supplemented by secondary supplies, principally by ex-military material.
Over 160 ships are powered by more than 200 small nuclear reactors. Most are submarines, but they range from icebreakers to aircraft carriers. In future, constraints on fossil fuel use in transport may bring marine nuclear propulsion into more widespread use.
Operators of nuclear power plants are liable for any damage caused by them, regardless of fault. They therefore normally take out insurance for third party liability, and in most countries they are required to do so.
A compendium of radioactive waste management policies in different countries, and how they are funded.
Opening remarks from our Director General, Sama Bilbao y León.
The contribution nuclear generation makes to climate change mitigation is highlighted in a new edition of the World Nuclear Performance Report, produced by World Nuclear Association for COP26.
Uranium occurs in a number of different igneous, hydrothermal and sedimentary geological environments. The major primary ore mineral is uraninite or pitchblende, though a range of other uranium minerals exist.
South Africa has two nuclear reactors generating 5% of its electricity. South Africa's first commercial nuclear power reactor began operating in 1984. Government commitment to the future of nuclear energy has been strong, but financial constraints are severe.
The nuclear power industry has various arrangements for cooperation among utilities, and internationally, among government and United Nations nuclear agencies. The World Association of Nuclear Operators is a valuable means of international assistance.
Potable water is in short supply in many parts of the world. Lack of it is set to become a constraint on development in some areas. Nuclear energy is already being used for desalination, and has the potential for much greater use.
Like nuclear power, renewable energy provides electricity without significant carbon dioxide emissions. However, solar and wind require back-up generating capacity due to their intermittent nature.
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.
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.
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.
Uzbekistan has considerable mineral deposits, including uranium. Today, most uranium is mined in the middle of the country, with Navoi as the centre, linked to mines by railway.
Construction of two small and two large Russian reactors is planned.
Following many years of construction, Iran's first nuclear power reactor started up in 2011. Two further large Russian-designed units are planned, the first of which commenced construction in November 2019. The country also has a major programme developing uranium enrichment, and this was concealed for many years.
Fusion power offers the prospect of an almost inexhaustible source of energy for future generations, but it also presents so far unresolved engineering challenges.
Fossil fuels receive indirect subsidies in their waste disposal as well as some direct subsidies. Nuclear energy fully accounts for its waste disposal and decommissioning costs in financial evaluations.
A guide to the features of our reactor database, plus global data for 2025
In 2024, nuclear reactors supplied more electricity than ever before. World Nuclear Performance Report 2025 charts this record milestone and demonstrates nuclear’s endurance as part of a clean and resilient global energy mix.
Egypt has considered establishing nuclear power since the 1960s. It has started construction on a nuclear power plant comprising four large Russian reactors with significant desalination capacity.
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.
Radiation occurs naturally and comes from sources all around us, including our own bodies. Radiation is often misunderstood, but helps save lives and cure disease
World Nuclear Association’s projections for nuclear generating capacity growth have been revised upwards for the first time in eight years, following the introduction of more favourable policies in a number of countries.
National and regional grid systems connecting generators with wholesale customers are just as important as electrical power generation. Investment in these is often on a similar scale to generation capacity.
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.
Taiwan shut down its last operating nuclear reactor in May 2025. It was constructing two advanced reactors, but this project was cancelled. Imports account for over 95% of the energy, and are vital to the rapidly industrializing economy.
Russia is moving steadily forward with plans for an expanded role of nuclear energy, including development of new reactor technology. Exports of nuclear goods and services are a major Russian policy and economic objective.
A nuclear power plant project is characterised by high upfront capital costs and long construction periods, low and stable operational costs, and lengthy payback periods. This investment profile, combined with the risks associated with construction, mean that the cost of financing is a key determinant of the cost of electricity generated.
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.
About 15% of Canada's electricity comes from nuclear power. For many years Canada has been a leader in nuclear research and technology, as well as a high proportion of the world supply of radioisotopes used in medical diagnosis and cancer therapy.
Definition of regional groupings
Geographical regions used is this report and the countries assigned to them.
The Akkuyu nuclear plant, under construction on Turkey's southern coast, will comprise four reactors.
List of nuclear regulatory organizations
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 of the current fleet of reactors in the UK is due to retire by 2030. Construction has commenced on the first of a new generation of plants.
Reactor operators have taken steps to protect their workforce and have implemented business continuity plans to ensure the continuing functioning of key aspects of their businesses. Nuclear technologies are also being used to detect and fight the Covid-19 coronavirus.
Most countries participate in international initiatives designed to limit the proliferation of nuclear weapons. The international safeguards system has since 1970 successfully prevented the diversion of fissile materials into weapons.
Nuclear Proliferation Case Studies: Iran, North Korea & Iraq - Implications for Safeguards; also South Africa, Israel, Syria and Libya.
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.
Nuclear reactors can be a source of clean water for communities and countries in need
Our submission to the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank’s Energy Strategy sets out the case for including nuclear energy among the energy infrastructure projects that are suitable for AIIB financing and investment. (November 2016)