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
UK civil nuclear project Sizewell C powers ahead with new fuel contracts and turbine deal
22nd October 2025
The contract with Urenco for enriched uranium services will serve the first six years of the 3.2 GW-capacity Sizewell C power station’s operation. It ...
Inside the Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant construction project
15th October 2025
Under construction in Somerset, Hinkley Point C will house two EPR pressurised water reactors that have a combined generating capacity of 3.2 GW. The ...
Wind power found to lower UK bills, while, at a global level, renewables displace coal-fired power for the first time ever
15th October 2025
Growth in UK renewables cuts electricity prices by up to 25%Wind power has driven down electricity prices by weakening the dominance of ga...
Spanish blackouts won’t happen in the UK, says grid operator
8th October 2025
The NESO report examines what lessons can be learnt from the 28 April power outage in Spain and Portugal and applied to the UK grid. Working with the ...
Parties clash as UK energy policy turns into political battleground
8th October 2025
UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband used his speech on the last day of the Labour Party Conference on 1 October to set out a sweeping vision for the UK’s ...
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 ...