Nuclear power provides roughly 10% of the world’s electricity. The number of operating reactors has remained in the region of 400—440 since the 1980s. Although some nations are building new capacity, this is broadly balanced by older plants being retired.
The reactor fleet worldwide is dominated by two closely related designs:
- Pressurised Water Reactors (PWRs) — the most common type globally.
- Boiling Water Reactors (BWRs) — the second most common type.
Other designs in commercial operation include the CANDU (Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor), the AGR (Advanced Gas-Cooled Reactor, UK only), and a small number of fast reactors.
- Operating reactors worldwide: ~440
- Reactors under construction: ~60
- Total installed nuclear capacity: ~390 GWe
- Share of global electricity: ~10%
- Country with highest nuclear share: France (~65—70%)