Nuclear
In 2023 nuclear power generated 9.1% of the global electricity supply. Nuclear is a near zero-carbon fuel, so it does not contribute to climate change.
Share of nuclear in global electricity (%)
Overview
Nuclear’s share in the mix has nearly halved since 2000
The share of nuclear power in the global electricity mix has declined significantly over the last two decades, from 16.6% in 2000 to 9.1% in 2023.
Together, the US, China and France accounted for more than half (58%) of global nuclear power generation in 2023. The highest shares were in European countries, including France (65%), Slovakia (62%) and Hungary (44%).
Ember’s Global Electricity Review revealed that nuclear power generation rose by 1.2% in 2023, rebounding slightly from a five-year low in 2022 as reactors returned from maintenance in France and Japan and new reactors came online in China. Following the tsunami and meltdown at Fukushima nuclear power plant, in recent years many nuclear power plants have been closed or mothballed, especially in Europe and the United States. Nuclear plants are reaching the end of their lifetimes and replacements are beset by delays and inflating budgets. Only China and Russia have made significant capacity additions.
Globally, nuclear power is falling as a share of electricity production. If this trend continues, it will be more difficult to switch away from fossil fuels and keep global warming below 1.5C.
Last updated: May 2024
The world's biggest nuclear generators
Ember position
Zero-carbon nuclear power plays a supporting role
Nuclear power is an important source of firm zero-carbon energy, given the severity of the climate crisis and the necessity to quickly move off fossil fuels.
In the IEA’s Net Zero by 2050 scenario, nuclear power capacity increases significantly in the next three decades as electricity demand triples, but nuclear’s share of global electricity generation remains similar to today (10%).
Governments should especially endeavour to keep existing nuclear power online where it is safe to do so, and research new ways to benefit from nuclear power in the future, both in advanced fission and modular construction, as well as exploring prospects for power from nuclear fusion.
However, we expect the vast majority of the growth in clean power in this critical decade to come from wind and solar, which is cheaper and faster to deploy, and lacks the requirement for long-term waste storage or high decommissioning costs.
