Planned global nuclear power plant additions 2021, by country
This statistic shows the number of planned nuclear reactors worldwide as of May 2021, by country. There was one nuclear power reactors planned in Iran. The Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant is the first nuclear power plant operating of the country.
Nuclear reactor construction was much more widespread in the 1970s and peaked in 1976, when 42 reactors were being built globally. Meanwhile in 2019, there were only five nuclear reactor construction starting worldwide. As of 2019, most operating reactors around the world have been running for 34 or 35 years.
Nuclear reactors
Formerly called atomic piles, nuclear reactors are used to start and control a nuclear chain reaction in power plants. The heat from the reaction is transferred to a working fluid which in turn, runs through turbines for both electricity generation and ship propulsion. Nuclear reactors can also be used in the creation of isotopes for medical or industrial purposes, as well as for weapons production. Early efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation began with government secrecy and have since evolved under the International Atomic Energy Agency founded by the United Nations.Nuclear reactors worldwide
As of May 2021, China and India have the largest number of planned nuclear reactors, totaling 17 and six , respectively. Globally, China also has a relatively high number of functioning nuclear reactors compared to other nations. In May 2021, the United States reported the highest number of functioning reactors, namely 93, followed by France with 56 reactors. In 2019, almost 71 percent of France’s electricity production was generated by nuclear power, the highest in the world.Nuclear reactor construction was much more widespread in the 1970s and peaked in 1976, when 42 reactors were being built globally. Meanwhile in 2019, there were only five nuclear reactor construction starting worldwide. As of 2019, most operating reactors around the world have been running for 34 or 35 years.
