IAEA Data Reveals 2023 Nuclear Power Surge Amid Global Push for Decarbonization

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi emphasized the importance of nuclear power in meeting global climate and energy security objectives.

Newly released data from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for 2023 reveals a significant rise in nuclear power generation, underscoring the technology's crucial role in the global transition towards clean energy. According to the IAEA’s Power Reactor Information System (PRIS), electricity production from nuclear power increased by 2.6% compared to 2022, maintaining nuclear power's contribution of nearly 10% of the world's electricity and a quarter of all low-carbon electricity.

The United States remained the largest producer of nuclear electricity, followed by China and France. China, which leads in the construction of new reactors, began work on five new reactors last year. Newcomer Egypt also made strides, starting construction on its second reactor. The global fleet of nuclear reactors operated at a median capacity factor of 88%, with new grid connections in Belarus, China, South Korea, Slovakia, and the United States, despite reactor shutdowns in Belgium, China, and Germany.

The data arrives amid a growing global consensus to accelerate nuclear power deployment. At the historic first Global Stocktake during COP28 in Dubai, 198 countries called for a rapid expansion of low-emission energy technologies, including nuclear power, to meet climate goals and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Over 20 countries pledged to work towards tripling global nuclear power capacity as part of this effort.

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi emphasized the importance of nuclear power in meeting global climate and energy security objectives. "IAEA data shows the global fleet of nuclear reactors continues to be a large and indispensable source of low-carbon electricity," he said. "But it’s also clear that we will need to extend the lives of existing reactors, replace retiring facilities with new ones, and add a lot of new capacity."

As of December 2023, the global operational nuclear power capacity stood at 371.5 GW(e), generated by 413 reactors in 31 countries. However, only 403 reactors reported their electricity production to the IAEA, with 25 reactors in suspended operations, including four in India and 21 in Japan. Japan restarted two reactors, Takahama-1 and Takahama-2, that had been inactive since 2011.

Nuclear power capacity has remained stable over the past decade, with 69.8 GW(e) added since 2013, predominantly in Asia. China continues to lead global nuclear expansion with 56 reactors in operation and 27 under construction, solidifying its position as the fastest-growing nuclear power producer in the world.