Nuclear reactors supplied more electricity than ever before last year, generating 2667 TWh of electricity, according to World Nuclear Performance Report 2025.
This is the largest amount of electricity supplied in one year from nuclear energy, surpassing the previous record of 2660 TWh in 2006.
In the near term, global nuclear capacity will continue to rise incrementally. However, rising electricity demand continues to outpace clean energy growth. Tripling nuclear energy capacity is therefore imperative to deliver reliable, large-scale clean energy in the longer term, the report noted.
The global reactor fleet ran at an average capacity factor of 83% in 2024, higher than any other source of electricity. This measure of reliability is reflected consistently over the past 20 years, with reactor performance remaining high regardless of age and older reactors having some of the highest capacity factors, the report said.
The increase in global nuclear generation seen over recent years is primarily due to a rapid increase in capacity in Asia. Of the 68 reactors commissioned worldwide over the past decade, 56 were built in Asian countries. This momentum shows no sign of slowing, with 59 of the 70 reactors currently under construction also located in the region.
Key highlights from the report include:
* In 2024, nuclear reactors helped avoid 2.1 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions from equivalent coal generation — enough to wipe out the carbon footprint of the entire global aviation industry nearly twice over.
* In 2024 the global average capacity factor was 83%, up from 82% in 2023, continuing the trend of high global capacity factors seen since 2000. Over 60% of reactors are achieving a capacity factor of more than 80%, showing continuous improvement for more of the world’s reactors.
* Seven reactors completed construction and were connected to the grid in 2024. Three of these were located in China, with the remaining four in the United Arab Emirates, France, India, and the United States.
* There are currently 70 reactors under construction worldwide, with construction on nine reactors starting in 2024, six in China and one each in Pakistan, Egypt and Russia.
Dr Sama Bilbao y León, the Director General of World Nuclear Association, said: “The new record electricity generation from nuclear energy in 2024 is a testament to the industry. To meet our global energy and climate goals, it is a record that needs to be bettered again and again, every year, by increasingly larger amounts.”
She concluded: “The new record set for nuclear generation marks a rallying point and a call to action. The challenge ahead is immense, but so is the opportunity. With the backing of bold global industry leaders, forward-thinking governments, and an increasingly engaged public, the path to tripling nuclear capacity is not only achievable; it is necessary. This is our chance to build a cleaner, more secure energy future for everyone everywhere, powered by reliable, low-carbon nuclear energy.”
The World Nuclear Performance report is published ahead of the 50th World Nuclear Symposium, taking place from September 3-5 at the Royal Lancaster, London. Symposium 50 promises to bring together nuclear industry leaders, global policymakers, the finance community, and decision-makers from the tech and energy user communities to shape the future of the global nuclear industry. The theme for this year is ‘Energizing the Future Now’. - TradeArabia News Service