Nuclear Energy by Country: Generation, Share, and the 2025 Outlook
Nuclear's Comeback
After a decade of post-Fukushima retreat, nuclear energy is back on the global agenda. The COP28 declaration calling for a tripling of nuclear capacity by 2050, signed by over 20 nations, signaled a shift in political winds. Rising electricity demand from data centers and AI, combined with the need for reliable zero-carbon baseload power, has made the case for nuclear harder to ignore.
In 2024, global nuclear generation reached approximately 2,790 TWh, supplied by 440 operating reactors in 32 countries. Nuclear accounts for about 9.5% of global electricity generation, down from a peak of 17% in the mid-1990s but stabilizing after years of decline.
Top 20 Countries by Nuclear Generation (2024)
| Rank | Country | Generation (TWh) | Nuclear Share (%) | Operating Reactors | |------|---------|-----------------|-------------------|-------------------| | 1 | United States | 775 | 18.6 | 93 | | 2 | France | 362 | 65.3 | 56 | | 3 | China | 435 | 4.9 | 56 | | 4 | Russia | 215 | 19.8 | 37 | | 5 | South Korea | 185 | 31.2 | 26 | | 6 | Canada | 87 | 13.6 | 19 | | 7 | Japan | 68 | 7.2 | 12 | | 8 | Ukraine | 65 | 55.0 | 9 | | 9 | United Kingdom | 42 | 12.8 | 9 | | 10 | Spain | 56 | 20.3 | 7 | | 11 | Sweden | 54 | 28.5 | 6 | | 12 | India | 48 | 3.2 | 23 | | 13 | Belgium | 35 | 38.6 | 5 | | 14 | Czech Republic | 30 | 36.8 | 6 | | 15 | Finland | 25 | 33.7 | 5 | | 16 | Switzerland | 23 | 32.1 | 4 | | 17 | Romania | 11 | 18.4 | 2 | | 18 | Hungary | 16 | 46.2 | 4 | | 19 | Pakistan | 14 | 9.8 | 6 | | 20 | Argentina | 8 | 4.7 | 3 |
Data: IAEA PRIS, energtx Research. Full nuclear data at energtx.com/datasets.
The United States: The Aging Giant
The United States remains the world's largest nuclear power producer at 775 TWh from 93 operating reactors. American nuclear plants operate at industry-leading capacity factors above 92%, a testament to decades of operational optimization. Nuclear provides 18.6% of US electricity, more than solar and wind combined.
However, the US fleet is aging. The average reactor age is 43 years, and no new large-scale reactor has entered service since Vogtle Unit 4 in 2024 (after years of delays and cost overruns). The future of US nuclear hinges on two factors: license extensions for existing plants to 80 years, and the potential deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs) in the 2030s.
The growing demand from hyperscale data centers has created a new dynamic. Microsoft, Google, and Amazon have signed power purchase agreements with nuclear operators, and several retired nuclear plant sites are being evaluated for restart. Three Mile Island's Unit 1 is being recommissioned to supply clean power to a data center campus.
France: The Nuclear Champion
France generates 65.3% of its electricity from nuclear, the highest share of any major economy. The 56-reactor fleet operated by EDF is the backbone of French energy security and a major reason France has among the lowest per capita CO2 emissions in Europe.
French nuclear generation recovered to 362 TWh in 2024 after a difficult 2022 when corrosion issues forced widespread outages. EDF has completed a massive maintenance program and is now focused on the Flamanville 3 EPR reactor, which finally began generating power in 2024 after a decade of delays. France has also announced plans for six new EPR2 reactors, with the first expected to enter service in the early 2030s.
France's nuclear strategy is a direct counterpoint to Germany's Energiewende. French electricity is significantly cheaper and lower-carbon than German electricity, a comparison that increasingly influences the European nuclear debate.
China: The Nuclear Builder
China is the world's most active nuclear builder, with 56 operating reactors and 24 under construction. Chinese nuclear generation reached 435 TWh in 2024, making China the third-largest producer. The nuclear share of just 4.9% reflects China's enormous total electricity generation rather than lack of nuclear ambition.
China is commissioning approximately 6-8 new reactors per year, using domestically developed Hualong One and CAP1400 designs. At this pace, China will surpass the US and France in nuclear generation by the early 2030s. China's ability to build nuclear reactors on time and on budget, in contrast to the Western experience of massive cost overruns, is reshaping the global nuclear industry.
The Nuclear Renaissance Pipeline
Beyond China, significant new build activity is underway or planned in several countries:
| Country | Project | Capacity (GW) | Expected Online | |---------|---------|---------------|-----------------| | Turkey | Akkuyu (4 units) | 4.8 | 2025-2028 | | United Kingdom | Hinkley Point C | 3.2 | 2027-2028 | | India | Multiple (PHWR + VVER) | 8.0 | 2025-2032 | | Egypt | El Dabaa (4 units) | 4.8 | 2028-2030 | | Poland | Kozienice or Choczewo | 3.7 | 2033-2035 | | Czech Republic | Dukovany 5 | 1.2 | 2036 | | South Korea | Shin Hanul 3-4 | 2.8 | 2032-2033 |
Data: IAEA, WNA, energtx Research.
Turkey's Akkuyu project is particularly significant as Turkey's first nuclear plant, which will transform the country's generation mix and reduce both carbon emissions and gas import dependence. The United Kingdom is pursuing Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C to replace retiring AGR reactors and maintain a nuclear baseload.
Poland, currently one of Europe's most coal-dependent countries, has committed to building its first nuclear plant as part of a long-term coal exit strategy. India has one of the most ambitious nuclear expansion plans, though execution has historically lagged targets.
Countries Exiting Nuclear
Not all countries are embracing the nuclear renaissance. Germany completed its nuclear exit in April 2023. Belgium initially planned a phase-out by 2025 but reversed course, extending two reactors by 10 years amid energy security concerns. Spain has announced a phase-out by 2035 but faces political opposition. Switzerland has banned new construction but will operate existing plants until end of life.
The divergence between nuclear builders and nuclear exiters is creating a two-speed clean energy landscape in Europe, with implications for electricity prices, carbon emissions, and industrial competitiveness.
Nuclear and Climate
Nuclear energy's greatest asset is its carbon intensity, or rather, its near absence. Lifecycle emissions for nuclear are approximately 12 gCO2/kWh, comparable to wind and lower than solar when manufacturing emissions are included. The 2,790 TWh of nuclear generation in 2024 avoided an estimated 2 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions compared to gas-fired generation.
For countries serious about deep decarbonization, nuclear offers something that variable renewables cannot: firm, weather-independent, 24/7 clean electricity. This is particularly valuable for industrial heat, desalination, and hydrogen production, applications where intermittent power is insufficient.
The SMR Question
Small modular reactors (SMRs) are the technology that nuclear advocates believe will change the economics of nuclear power. With factory fabrication, shorter construction times, and smaller upfront capital, SMRs promise nuclear power at a scale accessible to more countries and utilities.
As of 2025, no commercial SMR is operating in a Western market. NuScale's first project was cancelled due to cost escalation. Russia operates the floating Akademik Lomonosov, and China is operating the HTR-PM demonstration reactor. The next few years will determine whether SMRs can deliver on their promise or remain a perpetually future technology.
What the Data Shows
Nuclear energy is at an inflection point. After two decades of stagnation and decline in the West, a combination of climate urgency, energy security concerns, and data center demand is reviving interest. The data shows that nuclear-heavy grids like France and Sweden consistently achieve low emissions and moderate electricity prices, while nuclear exiters face higher costs and slower decarbonization.
Track nuclear energy data for all 56 countries at energtx.com/datasets, or explore country profiles like France, China, and South Korea.