Planned global nuclear power reactor additions 2024, by country

As of May 2024, almost half of the planned nuclear reactors worldwide were in China. This country planned the construction of 41 nuclear units out of the total global number of 92. Russia followed in second place with 14 planned nuclear reactors.

Nuclear reactors

Nuclear reactors are used to start and control a nuclear chain reaction in power plants. The heat from the reaction is transferred to a working fluid which in turn runs through turbines for both electricity generation and ship propulsion. Nuclear reactors can also be used in the creation of isotopes for medical or industrial purposes, as well as for weapons production.
The mean construction time for global nuclear reactors completed between 2013 and 2022 averaged nine years, ranging from a minimum of six in China to a maximum of 43 in the United States.

Nuclear power reactors worldwide

While China and Russia had the largest number of planned nuclear reactors as of May 2024, the United States reported the largest number of operable nuclear reactors at the time, with 94 units. China was tied with France for second, with both having 56 operable reactors at that time.
In terms of nuclear reactors under construction, China led the ranking, with 25 units as of June 2024.