As of June 2024, 10 out of the 15 largest nuclear power plants in the world based on capacity were based in Asia. Their production capacity ranged between 6.5 gigawatts electric in the largest Chinese plants to almost eight gigawatts electric in the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa power plant in Japan.
Japanese nuclear capacity
The Japanese Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, occupying an area of 4.2 square kilometers and consisting of seven reactor units, plays a crucial role in the Japanese economy. Japan's nuclear energy industry has been overshadowed, however, after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. As a result of the disaster, many countries reiterated their intention to phase out nuclear power.
Nuclear reactors around the world
Globally, the number of nuclear reactors is increasing in Asia, while it is decreasing in Western Europe and North America. Still, in May 2024 these two regions had 168 and 112 operating nuclear power reactors, respectively, which amounted to most of the world's active nuclear reactors.
Ranking of leading nuclear power plants worldwide as of June 2024, by capacity
(in megawatts electric)
Reactor, country
Capacity in megawatts electric
Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, Japan
7,965
Kori, South Korea
7,489
Hanul, South Korea
7,268
Hongyanhe, China
6,710
Bruce, Canada
6,610
Yangjiang, China
6,516
Hanbit, South Korea
5,875
Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine
5,700
Gravelines, France
5,460
Paluel, France
5,320
Cattenom, France
5,200
Wolseong, South Korea
4,598
Fukushima Daini II, Japan
4,400
Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Reactor, countryCapacity in megawatts electric7,9657,9657,4897,4897,2687,2686,7106,7106,6106,6106,5166,5165,8755,8755,7005,7005,4605,4605,3205,3205,2005,2004,5984,5984,4004,4004,1104,1104,0724,072Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, JapanKori, South KoreaHanul, South KoreaHongyanhe, ChinaBruce, CanadaYangjiang, ChinaHanbit, South KoreaZaporizhzhia, UkraineGravelines, FrancePaluel, FranceCattenom, FranceWolseong, South KoreaFukushima Daini II, JapanQinshan, ChinaNingde, China
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RankRed. (June 13, 2024). Ranking of leading nuclear power plants worldwide as of June 2024, by capacity (in megawatts electric) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved February 27, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1295401/worldwide-nuclear-power-plants-by-capacity/
RankRed. "Ranking of leading nuclear power plants worldwide as of June 2024, by capacity (in megawatts electric)." Chart. June 13, 2024. Statista. Accessed February 27, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1295401/worldwide-nuclear-power-plants-by-capacity/
RankRed. (2024). Ranking of leading nuclear power plants worldwide as of June 2024, by capacity (in megawatts electric). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: February 27, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1295401/worldwide-nuclear-power-plants-by-capacity/
RankRed. "Ranking of Leading Nuclear Power Plants Worldwide as of June 2024, by Capacity (in Megawatts Electric)." Statista, Statista Inc., 13 Jun 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1295401/worldwide-nuclear-power-plants-by-capacity/
RankRed, Ranking of leading nuclear power plants worldwide as of June 2024, by capacity (in megawatts electric) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1295401/worldwide-nuclear-power-plants-by-capacity/ (last visited February 27, 2025)
Ranking of leading nuclear power plants worldwide as of June 2024, by capacity (in megawatts electric) [Graph], RankRed, June 13, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1295401/worldwide-nuclear-power-plants-by-capacity/
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