56 new nuclear reactors will start operation globally by 2030, say reports

By Zeynep Beyza Kilic

The number of nuclear reactors worldwide will increase by 56 by 2030, as 12 countries are currently in the construction phase, according to multiple reports.

Considered an environmentally friendly technology, nuclear energy continues to be a popular source of electricity generation, surpassing other energy sources in terms of electricity production capacity.

Once complete, the installed capacity of the new reactors will total 62,300 megawatts, according to data compiled by Anadolu from reports published by the World Nuclear Association.

There are currently 440 nuclear reactors across more than 30 countries that meet 10% of the world’s electricity needs.

A total of 214 reactors have been decommissioned since the 1950s when the first commercial nuclear power plants came into operation.

This year, three reactors in India, the US and the UAE were connected to the electricity grid, while construction for three reactors in Egypt, China and Russia commenced. Since the beginning of the year, one reactor has been shut down in Russia.

Twelve reactors will be finished this year, and eight reactors will be put into service in 2025.

A total of 10 reactors are planned to start operations in 2026, with another 11 set to produce electricity in 2027.

The seven reactors currently under construction will be connected to the electricity grid in 2028, while three reactors and five reactors will be completed in 2029 and 2030, respectively.

China ranks first with the largest reactor capacity under construction

China is building 27 reactors and ranks first in the world in reactor capacity currently under construction, with 30,943 megawatts.

India takes second place with a much lower capacity of 5,900 megawatts under construction using seven reactors. Türkiye and Egypt follow with 4,800 megawatts each.

Russia is building four reactors with a total capacity of 4,010 megawatts, and the UK, which ranks in the top five in the world, has two reactors totaling 3,440 megawatts.

South Korea, Bangladesh, France and Iran complete the list of the world's top ten countries with the biggest capacity under construction at 2,800 megawatts, 2,400 megawatts, 1,650 megawatts and 1,057 megawatts, respectively.