Operable nuclear power reactors worldwide 2022, by country
As of May 2022, there were 439 nuclear reactors in operation in some 30 countries around the world. The United States had the largest number of nuclear power reactors in operation at the time, at 92 units. Operable nuclear reactors are those connected to the grid.
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.
Nuclear reactors under construction
The largest reactors under construction as of May 2022 were situated in the UK, with a gross electricity generation capacity of 1,720 megawatts. Meanwhile, the country with the highest capacity of nuclear reactors under construction worldwide was China, where reactors with a total capacity of 15 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.
