Global nuclear power consumption share 2021, by selected country

The United States is the largest consumer of nuclear power, accounting for almost 30 percent of the world’s nuclear power consumption in 2021. That year, nuclear energy consumption in the U.S. totaled 7.4 exajoules.

Nuclear power generation

In 2010, global nuclear power generation reached 2,630 terawatt-hours. Following the Fukushima nuclear disaster in March 2011, that year saw an output drop. Generation also declined in 2012, but has since recovered, peaking at 2,657 terawatt-hours in 2019. Currently, nuclear power accounts for roughly 10 percent of global electricity generation.

Nuclear reactors

As the top producer of nuclear power, it comes as no surprise that the United States has by far the most operable nuclear reactors worldwide. With a total of 92 units in operation as of May 2022, this is almost double the number of operable reactors in China. Nevertheless, whilst the U.S. had just three planned nuclear reactor additions in the pipeline at the time, China had 33. The Asian country also had 15 nuclear reactors under construction. It is projected that China will surpass the U.S. as the world’s largest nuclear energy producer.