Top 10 largest nuclear power countries in the world
As countries try to meet rising energy demands while combating climate change, some have relied heavily on nuclear power, installing large reactors to produce electricity, and reducing the use of fossil fuels. However, Nigeria has begun to shift from its reliance on fossil fuels such as natural gas and oil to nuclear energy to diversify its energy sources.
Here are the top 10 largest nuclear power countries in the world.
1. United States: 97. GW of nuclear generation
The United States leads the world in nuclear power with more than 30% of global nuclear energy production, with 97 gigawatts (GW) of installed nuclear capacity generated by 93 commercial nuclear reactors in 30 states. These reactors produce around 20% of its total electricity.
2. France: 61.3 GW of nuclear generation
France has the highest percentage of electricity generated from nuclear energy and the second-largest nuclear capacity globally. The nation has a total capacity of about 61 gigawatts (GW) with 56 nuclear reactors. These reactors provide almost 70% of France’s electricity, which is the highest percentage of any country.
3. China: 57. GW of nuclear generation
China has the third-largest nuclear capacity in the world, and about 5% of the nation’s electricity is generated by nuclear power, which has 55 operating nuclear reactors with a combined capacity of about 57 gigawatts (GW).
4. Japan: 31.7 GW of nuclear generation
Japan currently operates 33 nuclear reactors with a combined installed capacity of 31.7 GW, while two reactors (Ohma 1 and Shimane 3) with a combined capacity of 2.6 GW are being built.
5. Russia: 29.6 GW of nuclear generation
Nuclear power is one of Russia’s major components of the energy mix, producing about 20% of the country’s electricity. Russia has 37 nuclear reactors with a total nuclear power capacity of about 29.6 gigawatts (GW).
6. South Korea: 31.65 GW of nuclear generation
South Korea has 27 nuclear reactors that provide almost 30% of the nation’s power, with about 29.6% of its electrical generation coming from atomic energy and a total nuclear power capacity of roughly 31.65 gigawatts (GW), making nuclear energy an essential component of the country’s energy mix.
7. Canada: 13.5 GW of nuclear generation
Canada has a total nuclear power capacity of about 13.5 gigawatts (GW), and the majority of nuclear reactors in Canada are CANDU (Canadian Deuterium Uranium) reactors, a kind of pressurised heavy-water reactor that is renowned for its efficiency and safety and uses natural uranium as fuel. Nuclear energy in Ontario accounts for 15% of Canada’s total electricity production.
8. Ukraine: 13.1 GW of nuclear generation
Ukraine has a total nuclear power capacity of approximately 13.1 gigawatts (GW), with 15 nuclear reactors spread among four nuclear power plants, principally in the Chernihiv, Kharkiv, and Mykolaiv districts, while two reactors (Khmelnitski 3 and 4) are under construction.
9. United Kingdom 8.9 GW of nuclear generation
The United Kingdom has a total capacity of approximately 8.9 gigawatts (GW) and operates 15 nuclear reactors across numerous sites, with nuclear energy accounting for around 15% of overall electricity generation in the UK.
10. Spain: 7.1 GW of nuclear generation
Spain has a smaller nuclear power sector than several other countries, with a total nuclear power capacity of approximately 7.1 gigawatts (GW) generated by seven reactors, which generate around 20% of Spain’s total electricity.
