The World Nuclear Association’s latest Performance Report offers a comprehensive snapshot of the global nuclear energy landscape, highlighting significant trends, challenges, and opportunities that could shape the sector’s future. The report reveals that nuclear reactors worldwide generated a record 2667 TWh of electricity in 2024, surpassing the previous high of 2660 TWh set in 2006. Despite this increase, nuclear power’s share of global electricity generation has declined to around 9% from about 16% in the mid-1990s, primarily due to the rapid growth in electricity demand met by fossil fuels.
In 2024, seven new reactors were connected to the grid, with China leading the way with three new reactors. The United Arab Emirates, France, India, and the United States each added one reactor. Currently, 70 reactors are under construction globally, with nine new construction projects initiated in 2024, six in China and one each in Pakistan, Egypt, and Russia.
The report underscores the pivotal role of Asia in driving nuclear energy growth, with 56 of the 68 reactors started up over the last decade built in the region. This trend is expected to continue, with 59 of the 70 reactors currently under construction located in Asia. The report also highlights the emerging role of small modular reactors (SMRs), with the 125 MWe Changjiang ACP100 set to start up in China next year and construction on two 53 MWe RITM-200S units to begin soon in Russia. SMR construction is also anticipated to advance in countries like Canada and the USA, broadening the applications of nuclear technologies and potentially reducing costs through factory-based modular production.
China’s nuclear expansion is particularly notable, with the country overtaking France to become the second-largest operator of nuclear reactors (58) and poised to surpass the United States within the next decade. Additionally, several new countries have either started their first reactors (United Arab Emirates and Belarus) or have their first reactors under construction (Bangladesh, Egypt, and Turkey). Countries like Kazakhstan, Poland, and Uzbekistan are also planning to begin construction of their first reactors in the coming years, indicating a growing global embrace of nuclear energy.
The report emphasizes the urgent need for a rapid expansion of nuclear energy to achieve carbon neutrality. Despite the growth of renewable energy, global fossil fuel use for electricity production has continued to rise due to increasing electricity demand. The International Energy Agency predicts that global electricity consumption will more than double over the next 25 years, driven by emerging economies and new sectors like AI and data centers. Governments have recognized the critical role of nuclear energy in reducing emissions, with 25 governments signing a declaration at COP28 to triple global nuclear capacity by 2050. This goal has been supported by over 130 companies in the nuclear energy industry and major energy users like Amazon, Meta, Google, and Dow.
The report identifies several areas requiring innovation and investment to enhance the industry’s growth and sustainability. Technological advancements are needed to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors beyond electricity production, involving the supply of process heat at higher temperatures using alternative coolants like gases, molten salts, or liquid metals. Financial innovations are also crucial, particularly for construction in liberalized electricity markets. The finance sector is addressing this issue, with fourteen financial organizations discussing ways to support the global goal to triple nuclear capacity at New York Climate Week 2024.
Looking ahead to 2026, the World Nuclear Association anticipates continued growth in global nuclear capacity and generation as reactors currently under construction come online. The report notes that older reactors are performing well, with no decline in performance related to age, and some recently shut reactors in the US being reopened. Longer-term drivers for nuclear energy include the commitment to decarbonize global electricity supplies and the growing demand for electricity, which could prompt an acceleration in new nuclear build.
The insights from the 2025 Performance Report suggest that the nuclear energy sector is poised for significant growth and innovation, playing a crucial role in achieving global energy security and addressing climate change. As more countries embrace nuclear energy and technological advancements broaden its applications, the sector is likely to see increased investment and development, shaping a more sustainable energy future.