Nuclear power delivers low-carbon, reliable electricity. As a growing number of countries commit to achieving net-zero emissions, nuclear energy is increasingly recognized as a vital complement to renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power.
The Power Reactor Information System (PRIS) of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) tracks the operational status of nuclear power reactors worldwide. All information and data are voluntarily provided by respective countries and collected by the IAEA through officially designated data providers from its member states.
Below are the six key trends from the 2025 Nuclear Power Development Status Report, illustrating the evolving landscape of nuclear energy utilization:
According to IAEA projections, global nuclear power installed capacity is expected to double by 2050, reaching a range of 561 gigawatts (low estimate) to 992 gigawatts (high estimate). This growth will cement nuclear energy’s role as a critical driver in the global clean energy transition.
PRIS monitors reactor-level data, which is subject to daily updates due to dynamic reactor status changes. As of November 19, 2025, there are 416 operational nuclear reactors worldwide, with a total installed capacity of 376.3 gigawatts electric (GW(e)). In 2024, 421 operational reactors boasted a combined capacity of 377.0 GW(e) and generated approximately 2,617.3 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity, sufficient to meet the low-carbon energy needs of hundreds of millions of households.
The United States remains the world’s largest nuclear power producer, operating 94 reactors with a total capacity of 96,952 megawatts electric (MW(e)) and projected to generate around 781.9 TWh of electricity in 2024.
China is rapidly expanding its nuclear power footprint, currently operating 57 reactors with a capacity of 55.3 GW(e), while an additional 29 reactors (29.6 GW(e)) are under construction. In 2024, China’s nuclear power generation exceeded 417.5 TWh.
Nuclear energy also plays a pivotal role in Europe’s power mix. France leads the world with 57 operational reactors (63.0 GW(e)), where nuclear power is expected to account for approximately 67.3% of the country’s total electricity generation in 2024—the highest proportion globally.
Other countries with high nuclear power penetration rates include Slovakia (60.6% of electricity from nuclear sources), Hungary (47.1%), and Finland (39.1%).
There are currently 63 nuclear reactors under construction worldwide, which will add 66.2 GW(e) of new generating capacity upon completion. This signals that numerous countries are investing in nuclear energy to meet surging electricity demand, reduce carbon emissions, and achieve climate goals.
Between 2024 and 2025, multiple new nuclear power units were connected to the grid, including:
Barakah-4 in the United Arab Emirates (Pressurized Water Reactor, 1,310 MW(e))
Flamanville-3 in France (European Pressurized Reactor, 1,000 MW(e))
Vogtle-4 in the United States (Pressurized Water Reactor, 1,117 MW(e))
Kakrapar-4 and Rajasthan-7 in India (Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors, 630 MW(e) each)
Fangchenggang-4 and Zhangzhou-1 in China (Pressurized Water Reactors, 1,000 MW(e) and 1,126 MW(e) respectively)
These new additions reflect the global momentum in deploying advanced nuclear technologies.
Nuclear energy’s global footprint is expanding steadily.
South Africa remains the only African country producing nuclear power, with two operational reactors (1.9 GW(e)) contributing approximately 3.9% of the nation’s total electricity supply. Egypt, meanwhile, is constructing four nuclear power plants with a combined capacity of 4.4 GW(e), marking a significant step toward energy diversification and indigenous technology development.
South Asia is also scaling up its nuclear power capacity. Bangladesh is building its first two reactors (2.2 GW(e)), while India has an additional six reactors (4.8 GW(e)) under construction. These projects will enhance regional energy security and boost low-carbon power generation.
In 2024, nuclear reactors supplied energy equivalent to 2,644 gigawatt-hours (GWh) for both electrical and thermal purposes, distributed as follows:
District heating: 94.1%
Industrial heating: 4.1%
Seawater desalination: 1.9%