Nuclear power supplies around 10% of global electricity
Nuclear power is generated by controlled nuclear fission within reactors, where uranium or plutonium atoms are split, releasing energy to produce electricity. Originating in the 1950s, nuclear power emits minimal greenhouse gases, comparable to renewables. However, it is capital-intensive and regulated due to the radioactive materials involved.
The history of nuclear power includes major accidents like Chernobyl (1986) and Fukushima (2011), leading to varying national policies, from France’s heavy reliance on nuclear energy to Germany’s nuclear phase-out in 2023. Long-term disposal of nuclear waste remains unresolved, challenging public acceptance.
Research on nuclear fusion, a potentially safer alternative, and small modular reactors is ongoing but not yet commercially viable. The future of nuclear power is uncertain, influenced by costs, sustainability, and waste management challenges.
Learn more about nuclear power by reading our Energy Insights.
For the latest news and articles on the transport sector read New Energy World.
Read energy professional's thoughts on the future of nuclear in our Energy Barometer.
0.0 Gt
of global emissions per year is avoided by using nuclear power (IEA)
0
reactors are operating around the world, providing 395 GWe of civil nuclear power capacity, almost 97 GWe of which is located in the US (World Nuclear Association)
About 0%
of all radioactive waste from nuclear power by volume is highly radioactive and requires permanent isolation from the environment (World Nuclear Association)
About 0%
share of world electricity generation is from nuclear power (IEA)
New Energy World stories
New UK-US alliance to accelerate build-out of new nuclear power stations
24th September 2025
Raft of US-UK nuclear deals signed while US President Trump on UK state visitA new Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy agreem...
US big tech deals boost UK’s AI ambitions
24th September 2025
Google selects Shell as its UK renewable energy managerGoogle has selected Shell Energy Europe as its renewable energy manager in the UK. ...
2024 saw most nuclear power ever generated, totalling 2,667 TWh
2nd September 2025
The report found that seven reactors completed construction and were connected to the grid in 2024. Three of these were located in China, with the rem...
Google makes its first investment in long-duration energy storage
6th August 2025
Google says that energy storage is vital to achieving its ambition to run on 24/7 carbon-free energy on every grid where it operates by 2030. It has b...
Czech development just the latest news in a booming small modular (nuclear) reactor market
30th July 2025
Rolls-Royce SMR and ČEZ sign early works agreement for Czech Republic SMRRolls-Royce SMR and Czech utility ČEZ have signed an early works ...
Technical guidance publications
EI 3251
Engaging contractors: Partnership approaches to improving safety in the power industry
June 2022
This publication was developed in response to demand from operators and contractors within the power generation sector, recognising that the safe and ...
IP 392: Determination of aromatic hydrogen and carbon content - High resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy method
January 2020
This method covers the determination of aromatic hydrogen and aromatic carbon contents of hydrocarbon oils. These include kerosines, gas oils, mineral...
EI 3390
Guidance on managing process safety in decommissioning projects
July 2019
This publication is intended to provide guidance on managing process safety within decommissioning projects generally within the energy sector, with m...
EI 3383
Human and organisational factors in end of service life and decommissioning
February 2019
This document is freely available to all registered users of this site.Health, safety, wellbeing and performance of those working on sites, both on an...
EI 3359
Assessing and managing the risk of arc flash
May 2018
The objective of this publication is to provide a practical approach to the management of arc flash risk within electrical installations. It provides ...