As of May 2024, there were 440 nuclear reactors in operation in 32 countries around the world. The United States had the largest number of nuclear power reactors in operation at the time, at 94 units. Operable nuclear reactors refer to those that are connected to the grid.

Nuclear reactors under construction

The largest reactors under construction as of May 2024 were situated in the UK, with a gross electricity generation capacity of 1,720 megawatts. Meanwhile, the country with the largest capacity of nuclear reactors under construction worldwide was China, where reactors with a total capacity of almost 30 gigawatts were being built at the time.

History of nuclear energy generation

In 1954, history was made when nuclear fission technology was approved for commercial purposes and the first nuclear power plant started operation in the Russian city of Obninsk. The new energy proved to be an extremely reliable and stable form of electricity. Since nuclear power plants are only shut down for refueling about every two years, they provide an around-the-clock “baseload” supply of power.

In nuclear fission, uranium atoms are split into lighter elements. Uranium is a radioactive metal that is extracted from mines, mainly in Kazakhstan, Australia, and Namibia. After the uranium splitting process, the used fuel elements are still radioactive and have to be stored in nuclear waste repositories or spent fuel pools. These sites are often underground and require thick metal or concrete walls to shield the public from radiation.

The Population Exposure Estimates in Proximity to Nuclear Power Plants, Locations data set combines information from a global data set developed by Declan Butler of Nature News and the Power Reactor Information System (PRIS), an up-to-date database of nuclear reactors maintained by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The locations of nuclear reactors around the world are represented as point features associated with reactor specification and performance history attributes as of March 2012.

The Global Power Plant Database is a comprehensive, open source database of power plants around the world. It centralizes power plant data to make it easier to navigate, compare and draw insights for one’s own analysis. The database covers approximately 35,000 power plants from 167 countries and includes thermal plants (e.g. coal, gas, oil, nuclear, biomass, waste, geothermal) and renewables (e.g. hydro, wind, solar). Each power plant is geolocated and entries contain information on plant capacity, generation, ownership, and fuel type. It will be continuously updated as data becomes available.

The methodology for the dataset creation is given in the World Resources Institute publication "A Global Database of Power Plants". Data updates may occur without associated updates to this manuscript.

The database can be visualized on Resource Watch together with hundreds of other datasets.

The database is available for immediate download and use through the WRI Open Data Portal.

Associated code for the creation of the dataset can be found on GitHub. The bleeding-edge version of the database (which may contain substantial differences from the release you are viewing) is available on GitHub as well.

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As of July 2024, most nuclear reactors in the world had been operational for over 30 years. At the time, the mean age of reactors was 32 years, with 74 nuclear reactors having been connected to the power grid within the last 10 years. The United States was home to the largest number of operable nuclear reactors.

Nuclear reactors connected to the grid in 2023 had a median construction time of 121 months, or almost 11 years. This was the highest figure in the period, followed by a construction time of 120 months between 1996 and 2000. Nuclear reactors with longest construction time In 2022, Finland’s Olkiluoto 3 and France’s Flamanville 3 were the world’s nuclear reactors with the longest actual construction time compared to the projected schedule. The two plants started operations in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Shin Hanul 2, South Korea, was connected to the grid in 2023 after 126 months of construction works. Nuclear reactors under construction worldwide More than one-third of the nuclear units under construction globally as of 2024 were located in China, which also recorded one of the lowest mean construction time for nuclear reactors worldwide. By comparison, the construction time for reactors in the United States averaged almost 43 years, or seven times the same value in China.

As of June 2024, there were 210 nuclear reactors permanently shutdown worldwide. The United States recorded the largest number of shutdowns, with 41 units. The United Kingdom followed, with 36 reactors. Shutdowns refer to a subcritical reactor state as defined by technical specifications and also require other factors like the reactor control key being secured.

China EVI: HS: ME: Nuclear Reactors, Machinery data was reported at 108.400 Prev Year=100 in May 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 110.700 Prev Year=100 for Apr 2018. China EVI: HS: ME: Nuclear Reactors, Machinery data is updated monthly, averaging 111.900 Prev Year=100 from Jan 2005 (Median) to May 2018, with 161 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 152.700 Prev Year=100 in May 2010 and a record low of 76.100 Prev Year=100 in May 2009. China EVI: HS: ME: Nuclear Reactors, Machinery data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by General Administration of Customs. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s International Trade – Table CN.JE: Trade Value Index: HS Classification.

Alternative and nuclear energy use of El Salvador went down by 4.24% from 6.6 % in 2013 to 6.3 % in 2014. Since the 16.42% surge in 2010, alternative and nuclear energy use climb by 2.90% in 2014. Clean energy is noncarbohydrate energy that does not produce carbon dioxide when generated. It includes hydropower and nuclear, geothermal, and solar power, among others.

The Global Wind Power Tracker (GWPT) is a worldwide dataset of utility-scale wind facilities. It includes wind farm phases with capacities of 10 megawatts (MW) or more. A wind project phase is generally defined as a group of one or more wind turbines that are installed under one permit, one power purchase agreement, and typically come online at the same time. The GWPT catalogs every wind farm phase at this capacity threshold of any status, including operating, announced, under development, under construction, shelved, cancelled, mothballed, or retired. Each wind farm included in the tracker is linked to a wiki page on the GEM wiki.

Architecture

Global Energy Monitor’s Global Wind Power Tracker uses a two-level system for organizing information, consisting of both a database and wiki pages with further information. The database tracks individual wind farm phases and includes information such as project owner, status, installation type, and location. A wiki page for each wind farm is created within the Global Energy Monitor wiki. The database and wiki pages are updated annually.

Status Categories

• Announced: Proposed projects that have been described in corporate or government plans but have not yet taken concrete steps such as applying for permits.
• Development: Projects that are actively moving forward in seeking governmental approvals, land rights, or financing.
• Construction: Site preparation and equipment installation are underway.
• Operating: The project has been formally commissioned; commercial operation has begun.
• Shelved: Suspension of operation has been announced, or no progress has been observed for at least two years.
• Cancelled: A cancellation announcement has been made, or no progress has been observed for at least four years.
• Retired: The project has been decommissioned.
• Mothballed: The project is disused, but not dismantled.

Research Process

The Global Wind Power Tracker data set draws on various public data sources, including:

• Government data on individual power wind farms (such as India Central Electricity Authority’s “Plant Wise Details of All India Renewable Energy Projects” and the U.S. EIA 860 Electric Generator Inventory), country energy and resource plans, and government websites tracking wind farm permits and applications;
• Reports by power companies (both state-owned and private);
• News and media reports;
• Local non-governmental organizations tracking wind farms or permits.

Global Energy Monitor researchers perform data validation by comparing our dataset against proprietary and public data such as Platts World Energy Power Plant database and the World Resource Institute’s Global Power Plant Database, as well as various company and government sources.

Wiki Pages

For each wind farm, a wiki page is created on Global Energy Monitor’s wiki. Under standard wiki convention, all information is linked to a publicly-accessible published reference, such as a news article, company or government report, or a regulatory permit. In order to ensure data integrity in the open-access wiki environment, Global Energy Monitor researchers review all edits of project wiki pages.

Mapping

To allow easy public access to the results, Global Energy Monitor worked with GreenInfo Network to develop a map-based and table-based interface using the Leaflet Open-Source JavaScript library. In the case of exact coordinates, locations have been visually determined using Google Maps, Google Earth, Wikimapia, or OpenStreetMap. For proposed projects, exact locations, if available, are from permit applications, or company or government documentation. If the location of a wind farm or proposal is not known, Global Energy Monitor identifies the most accurate location possible based on available information.

In 2023, the cumulative capacity of nuclear power plants in operation worldwide reached approximately 372 gigawatts electric. That same year, the number of global nuclear reactors amounted to 413.

Nuclear Energy Index decreased 2.51 USD or 9.38% since the beginning of 2025, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for Nuclear Energy Index.

Brazil Imports: NCM: Vol: Machinery for Rectifying Without Center, Numerically Controlled data was reported at 6,500.000 kg in Feb 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,300.000 kg for Jan 2025. Brazil Imports: NCM: Vol: Machinery for Rectifying Without Center, Numerically Controlled data is updated monthly, averaging 4,776.000 kg from May 2017 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 39 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 89,260.000 kg in Mar 2022 and a record low of 1.000 kg in Jul 2021. Brazil Imports: NCM: Vol: Machinery for Rectifying Without Center, Numerically Controlled data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Special Secretariat for Foreign Trade and International Affairs. The data is categorized under Brazil Premium Database’s Foreign Trade – Table BR.NCM: HS84: Nuclear Reactors, Boilers, Machinery and Mechanical Appliances; Others: Imports: Volume.

The Global Solar Power Tracker is a worldwide dataset of utility-scale solar PV facilities. It includes solar farm phases with capacities of 20 megawatts (MW) or more (10 MW or more in Arabic-speaking countries). A solar project phase is generally defined as a group of one or more solar units that are installed under one permit, one power purchase agreement, and typically come online at the same time. The Global Solar Power Tracker catalogs every solar farm phase at these capacity thresholds of any status, including operating, announced, under development, under construction, shelved, cancelled, mothballed, or retired. Each solar farm included in the tracker is linked to a wiki page on the GEM wiki.

Architecture

Global Energy Monitor’s Global Solar Power Tracker uses a two-level system for organizing information, consisting of both a database and wiki pages with further information. The database tracks individual solar farm phases and includes information such as project owner, status, and location. A wiki page for each solar farm is created within the Global Energy Monitor wiki. The database and wiki pages are updated annually.

Status Categories

• Announced: Proposed projects that have been described in corporate or government plans but have not yet taken concrete steps such as applying for permits.
• Development: Projects that are actively moving forward in seeking governmental approvals, land rights, or financing.
• Construction: Site preparation and equipment installation are underway.
• Operating: The project has been formally commissioned; commercial operation has begun.
• Shelved: Suspension of operation has been announced, or no progress has been observed for at least two years.
• Cancelled: A cancellation announcement has been made, or no progress has been observed for at least four years.
• Retired: The project has been decommissioned.
• Mothballed: The project is disused, but not dismantled.

Research Process

The Global Solar Power Tracker data set draws on various public data sources, including: - Government data on individual power solar farms (such as India Central Electricity Authority’s “Plant Wise Details of All India Renewable Energy Projects” and the U.S. EIA 860 Electric Generator Inventory), country energy and resource plans, and government websites tracking solar farm permits and applications; - Reports by power companies (both state-owned and private); - News and media reports; - Local non-governmental organizations tracking solar farms or permits.

Wiki Pages

For each solar farm, a wiki page is created on Global Energy Monitor’s wiki. Under standard wiki convention, all information is linked to a publicly-accessible published reference, such as a news article, company or government report, or a regulatory permit. In order to ensure data integrity in the open-access wiki environment, Global Energy Monitor researchers review all edits of project wiki pages.

Mapping

To allow easy public access to the results, Global Energy Monitor worked with GreenInfo Network to develop a map-based and table-based interface using the Leaflet Open-Source JavaScript library. In the case of exact coordinates, locations have been visually determined using Google Maps, Google Earth, Wikimapia, or OpenStreetMap. For proposed projects, exact locations, if available, are from permit applications, or company or government documentation. If the location of a solar farm or proposal is not known, Global Energy Monitor identifies the most accurate location possible based on available information.

Alternative and nuclear energy use of Chile grew by 1.36% from 5.6 % in 2014 to 5.7 % in 2015. Since the 4.87% dip in 2013, alternative and nuclear energy use soared by 40.16% in 2015. Clean energy is noncarbohydrate energy that does not produce carbon dioxide when generated. It includes hydropower and nuclear, geothermal, and solar power, among others.

Brazil Imports: FOB: NCM: Value: NBM: Other Portable Dig. Automat.for Data Proc. Portat. W<=10Kg,Etc data was reported at 0.148 USD mn in Jun 2019. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.026 USD mn for May 2019. Brazil Imports: FOB: NCM: Value: NBM: Other Portable Dig. Automat.for Data Proc. Portat. W<=10Kg,Etc data is updated monthly, averaging 0.140 USD mn from Jan 1997 (Median) to Jun 2019, with 270 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.266 USD mn in May 2014 and a record low of 0.015 USD mn in Jan 2005. Brazil Imports: FOB: NCM: Value: NBM: Other Portable Dig. Automat.for Data Proc. Portat. W<=10Kg,Etc data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ministry of Development, Industry And Trade. The data is categorized under Brazil Premium Database’s Machinery and Equipment Sector – Table BR.RMC007: Machinery and Equipment Imports: Nuclear Reactors, Boilers, Machinery and Mechanical Appliances: Value.

Brazil Imports: FOB: NCM: Volume: NBM: Parts & Acce. of Warpers data was reported at 43.000 kg in Jun 2019. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.000 kg for May 2019. Brazil Imports: FOB: NCM: Volume: NBM: Parts & Acce. of Warpers data is updated monthly, averaging 153.000 kg from Jan 1996 to Jun 2019, with 281 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 67,962.000 kg in Jul 2002 and a record low of 0.000 kg in May 2019. Brazil Imports: FOB: NCM: Volume: NBM: Parts & Acce. of Warpers data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ministry of Development, Industry And Trade. The data is categorized under Brazil Premium Database’s Machinery and Equipment Sector – Table BR.RMC006: Machinery and Equipment Imports: Nuclear Reactors, Boilers, Machinery and Mechanical Appliances: Volume.

Brazil Exports: NCM: Vol: Furniture,Bases and Covers F/ Sewing Machines;Its Parts data was reported at 17.000 kg in Dec 2024. This records a decrease from the previous number of 26.000 kg for Jul 2024. Brazil Exports: NCM: Vol: Furniture,Bases and Covers F/ Sewing Machines;Its Parts data is updated monthly, averaging 324.500 kg from May 2012 (Median) to Dec 2024, with 94 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8,740.000 kg in Dec 2012 and a record low of 0.000 kg in May 2021. Brazil Exports: NCM: Vol: Furniture,Bases and Covers F/ Sewing Machines;Its Parts data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Special Secretariat for Foreign Trade and International Affairs. The data is categorized under Brazil Premium Database’s Foreign Trade – Table BR.NCM: HS84: Nuclear Reactors, Boilers, Machinery and Mechanical Appliances; Others: Exports: Volume.

Brazil Imports: FOB: NCM: Value: NBM: Mach.Dig.Data Proc.W<750G,Data&Program Input,Tela<280Cm2 data was reported at 1.154 USD mn in Jun 2019. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.599 USD mn for May 2019. Brazil Imports: FOB: NCM: Value: NBM: Mach.Dig.Data Proc.W<750G,Data&Program Input,Tela<280Cm2 data is updated monthly, averaging 0.788 USD mn from Jan 1997 (Median) to Jun 2019, with 270 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 9.145 USD mn in Nov 2013 and a record low of 0.000 USD mn in May 1997. Brazil Imports: FOB: NCM: Value: NBM: Mach.Dig.Data Proc.W<750G,Data&Program Input,Tela<280Cm2 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ministry of Development, Industry And Trade. The data is categorized under Brazil Premium Database’s Machinery and Equipment Sector – Table BR.RMC007: Machinery and Equipment Imports: Nuclear Reactors, Boilers, Machinery and Mechanical Appliances: Value.

Brazil Imports: FOB: NCM: Value: NBM: Appar. Elevators & Conveyors, for Goods & Mat.,Motorized Roller data was reported at 0.002 USD mn in Jun 2019. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.406 USD mn for May 2019. Brazil Imports: FOB: NCM: Value: NBM: Appar. Elevators & Conveyors, for Goods & Mat.,Motorized Roller data is updated monthly, averaging 0.411 USD mn from Jan 1996 (Median) to Jun 2019, with 282 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 17.545 USD mn in Nov 2011 and a record low of 0.000 USD mn in Apr 2004. Brazil Imports: FOB: NCM: Value: NBM: Appar. Elevators & Conveyors, for Goods & Mat.,Motorized Roller data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ministry of Development, Industry And Trade. The data is categorized under Brazil Premium Database’s Machinery and Equipment Sector – Table BR.RMC007: Machinery and Equipment Imports: Nuclear Reactors, Boilers, Machinery and Mechanical Appliances: Value.

Since 2020, global data center power demand has significantly increased, with artificial intelligence (AI) forecast to require 200 terawatt-hours by 2030. Global data center power demand has increased year-on-year since 2019 and reached 142 terawatt-hours in the United States in 2023 when excluding AI use.