Nuclear Power Sets New Generation Record in 2025

Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for IIR News Intelligence (Sugar Land, Texas)

Summary

Nuclear reactors hit a new generation record in 2025 while the reliability of nuclear energy plants remains high across the global fleet and across the life of reactors, including ageing units.

Nuclear Power Rising

Nuclear reactors worldwide generated 2,702 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity in 2025, beating the previous year's record of 2,667 TWh, according to the World Nuclear Outlook Report 2026. The figure was also 35 TWh higher than in 2024, according to the World Nuclear Association, and supplied around 9% of world electricity. Growth in the market was led by Asia, while in the Americas and Africa generation remained broadly stable but declined in Western and Central Europe following reactor closures. According to Industrial Info Resources data, there are 972 nuclear projects around the world worth US$2.1 trillion in investment. Almost half of that investment is going into 179 grassroot projects, while a further US$737 billion is being spent on adding units to existing nuclear power plants. 

Reliability Steady

The report stated that the existing fleet "continues to perform strongly" with the average capacity factor rising to 83.7%, "with no general deterioration among reactors operating for more than 40 years. This reinforces the value of long-term operation as an immediate and cost-effective source of low-carbon electricity," the Association noted. "Since 1970, nuclear generation is estimated to have avoided 43.6 billion tonnes of CO₂ compared with gas and 97.2 billion tonnes compared with coal."

Lofty Ambitions

Today, 38 countries have signed the COP28 Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy Capacity by 2050. That Declaration sets the target at 1,200 gigawatts (GW) -- compared with 403 GW today - and while the Association says that it is technically feasible to hit that, and surpass it, build rates must accelerate greatly. "Construction is increasing, but remains below the level required, it reported. "Eleven reactors started construction in 2025, nine in China and two in Russia. Three reactors were connected to the grid and seven permanently shut down. Tripling global capacity by 2050 would eventually require build rates around six times current levels." It found that government ambitions remain "collectively sufficient to triple global nuclear capacity by 2050," but that is only if national targets and identified projects are achieved and the existing fleet continues operating. If so, capacity would reach 1,457 GW in 2050. Existing nuclear countries account for 1,303 GW of projected 2050 capacity, with new entrant countries contributing a further 154 GW.

Over the past year, the project pipeline has strengthened with capacity under construction rising from 76 GW to 82 GW and planned capacity from 107 GW to 114 GW. Proposed capacity has fallen from 294 GW to 289 GW and potential capacity has fallen from 24 to 13 GW, showing a shift to more certain and nearer-term categories.

Conditions for Growth

Implementation is the priority, the report stated, and while the outlook is positive, it is conditional. "Ambitions are sufficient and the pipeline is maturing, but the rate of reactor deployment needs to increase substantially. Projects needed in the 2030s depend on financing, licensing, manufacturing and workforce decisions taken now; capacity for the 2040s depends on turning initial projects into repeat programmes. Tripling capacity remains achievable if governments and industry preserve the fleet, complete current construction, commit to new projects and build repeatable delivery, financing, regulatory, fuel-supply and workforce capabilities. The targets exist; the task now is to build the delivery system capable of achieving them."

Key Takeaways

• Nuclear reactors hit a new generation record in 2025 of 2,702 terawatt hours (TWh). 
• The COP28 goal is to triple nuclear capacity from today's 403 gigawatts (GW) to 1,200 GW. 
• Industrial Info Resources is tracking 972 projects around the world worth US$2.1 trillion in investment. 

About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, Industrial Info Resources is tracking over 250,000 current and future projects worth $30.2 Trillion (USD).