Nuclear power began to develop during the first decade of 1940. Initially, the aim was to create and produce the atomic bomb. Later, after the cold war, research began on other uses of nuclear energy; the investigation focused on the peaceful use of atomic energy.
Currently, 30 countries have nuclear power plants for the generation of electricity. In any case, the number of countries that take advantage of nuclear energy is much higher since countries such as Denmark and Italy, which do not have any atomic installation, obtain about 10% of their electricity from atomic energy imported from other countries.
Around 450 nuclear power reactors are operating worldwide. All these reactors together generate about 11% of the electrical energy consumed in the world. However, 60 more reactors are currently under construction, which would increase the power generated through nuclear energy by 16%.
In 2016, nuclear power plants supplied 2,477 TWh of electricity, compared to 2,441 TWh in 2015.
What Are the Sources of Electricity?
According to data from the IEA Electricity Information from 2017, the primary source of electricity generation was coal. Coal-fired power plants are the most used and in second place are gas power plants.
The list of the sources of electricity ordered by use is as follows:
Energy source | Use of the world's electrical energy |
Coal-fired power plants | 39.3% |
Gas power plants | 22.9% |
Hydropower | 16% |
Nuclear energy | 10.6% |
Other renewable energies (solar energy, wind power, and geothermal energy) | 4.9% |
Burning oil | 4.1% |
Other sources | 2.2% |
It implies that non-renewable energies continue to have a majority weight in electricity generation compared to renewable energy worldwide.
What Countries Have Nuclear Power Plants?
The countries in nuclear energy production are:
France, China, Russia, South Korea, Canada, Ukraine, Germany, United Kingdom, Sweden, Spain, Belgium, India, Czech Republic, Finland, Switzerland, Japan, Brazil, Bulgaria, Hungary, South Africa, Slovakia, Mexico, Romania, Argentina, Iran, Pakistan, North Korea, Slovenia, the Netherlands, and Armenia.
In the ranking of countries with the highest electricity production through nuclear power plants, we find the United States in the first position, which in 2016 generated 805 TWh.
What Is the World Nuclear Association?
The World Nuclear Association is a confederation of companies related to the production of nuclear energy.
Its members encompass all phases of the nuclear fuel cycle, including
Mining extraction.
Conversion.
Uranium atoms enrichment.
Nuclear fuel fabrication.
Nuclear power plant fabrication.
Transportation.
Processing and storage or disposal of nuclear waste and radioactive materials.
Nuclear power generation.
Together, the members of the ANM are responsible for 90% of nuclear energy production on the planet. It is also responsible for converting and uranium's enrichment of 90% of the world's uranium.
Nuclear Power in North America
Americans built the first nuclear reactor in the world. It was part of the Manhattan Project to build the atomic bomb.
After the Second World War, scientists who worked on the Manhattan Project founded The Federation of American Scientists is an American. It was a nonprofit global policy think tank with the stated intent of using science and scientific analysis to make the world more secure. FAS aims to reduce the number of nuclear arsenal weapons that over the world.
How Many Nuclear Power Plants Are in the United States?
The United States has 99 operable nuclear fission reactors, with a combined net capacity of 99.6 GWe.
In 2017, nuclear power generated 20% of the country's electricity. Four AP1000 reactors had been built, but two of them have stopped. One of the reasons for the hiatus in new construction in the United States has been the highly successful evolution in maintenance strategies.
How Many Nuclear Power Plants Are in Canada?
In the first part of 2016, the government signed the necessary contracts to renovate and extend the useful life of six reactors at the Bruce generating station. The program will extend operational lives by 30-35 years.
How Many Nuclear Power Plants Are in Mexico?
Mexico has two operable nuclear reactors, with a combined net capacity of 1.6 GWe. In 2017, nuclear power generated 6% of the country's electricity.
Nuclear Energy in South America
Brazil has two reactors, with a combined net capacity of 1.9 GWe. In 2017, nuclear power generated 3% of the country's electricity.
Nuclear Power Plants in Western and Central Europe
The list of the countries which have atomicr reactors are:
Country | Number of reactors | Net capacity | Country's electricity production | Year |
Belgium | 7 | 5.9 GWe | 50% | 2017 |
Finland | 4 | 2.8 GWe | 33% | 2017 |
France | 58 | 63.1 GWe | 72% | 2017 |
Germany | 7 | 9.4 GWe | 12% | 2017 |
The Netherlands | 1 | 0.5 GWe | 3% | 2017 |
Spain | 7 | 7.1 GWe | 21% | 2017 |
Sweden | 8 | 8.4 GWe | 40% | 2017 |
Switzerland | 5 | 3.3 GWe | 33% | 2017 |
United Kingdom | 15 | 8.9 GWe | 19% | 2017 |
A 2015 energy policy aimed to reduce France's share of nuclear generation to 50% by 2025. In November 2017, the French government postponed this goal.
Germany is phasing out nuclear generation around 2022 as part of its Energiewende policy. Energiewende, widely identified as the most ambitious national climate change mitigation policy, has significantly reduced carbon dioxide emissions.
Sweden is shutting down some older reactors but has invested heavily in operating life extensions and upgrades.
Nuclear Power Plants in Eastern Europe and Russia
The list of the countries which have atomic reactors are:
Country | Number of reactors | Net capacity | Country's electricity production | Year |
Russia | 35 | 26.9 GWe | 18% | 2017 |
Armenia | 1 | 0.4 GWe | 33% | 2017 |
Bulgaria | 2 | 1.9 GWe | 34% | 2017 |
Czech Republic | 6 | 3.9 GWe | 33% | 2017 |
Hungary | 4 | 1.9 GWe | 50% | 2017 |
Romania | 2 | 1.3 GWe | 18% | 2017 |
Slovakia | 4 | 1.8 GWe | 54% | 2017 |
Slovenia | 39% | 2017 | ||
Ukraine | 15 | 13.1 GWe | 55% | 2017 |
In Russia, a government decree in 2016 specified the construction of 11 nuclear power reactors by 2030 and those already under construction. At the beginning of 2018, Russia had seven reactors under construction, with a combined capacity of 5.9 GWe.
Belarus has its first nuclear power plant under construction and plans to have two Russian reactors operating in 2019. Today, almost all of the country's electricity is produced from natural gas.
Nuclear Power Stations in Asia
The list of the countries which have nuclear reactors in Asia are:
Country | Number of reactors | Net capacity | Country's electricity production | Year |
China | 38 | 34.6 GWe | 4% | 2017 |
India | 22 | 6.2 GWe | 3% | 2017 |
Japan | 42 | 40 GWe | 4% | 2017 |
South Korea | 24 | 22.5 GWe | 27% | 2017 |
Pakistan | 5 | 1.4 GWe | 6% | 2017 |
The Indian government is committed to increasing its nuclear power capacity as part of its massive infrastructure development program.
In Japan, as of early 2018, only five reactors had been reconnected, with 21 more in the re-approval process following the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011. In the past, 30% of the country's electricity came from nuclear power.
Bangladesh began construction of the first of two planned VVER-1200 reactors in 2017. It plans to have the first unit operational in 2023. Currently, the country produces virtually all of its electricity from fossil fuels.
Nuclear Energy in Africa
South Africa has two operable nuclear reactors and is the only African country that currently produces electricity from nuclear power. In 2017, nuclear power generated 7% of the country's electricity.
Iran has a single operable nuclear reactor with a net capacity of 0.9 GWe. In 2017, nuclear power generated 2% of the country's electricity.
The UAE is building four 1450 MWe South Korean reactors at the cost of more than $ 20 billion and is working closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency and experienced international firms.
