WNA reported in early 2020 that nuclear technology uses the energy released by splitting the atoms of certain elements. It was first developed in the 1940s, and during the Second World War research initially focused on producing bombs. In the 1950s attention turned to the peaceful use of nuclear fission, controlling it for power generation. For more information, see page on History of Nuclear Energy.
Civil nuclear power can now boast more than 17,000 reactor years of experience, and nuclear power plants are operational in 30 countries worldwide. In fact, through regional transmission grids, many more countries depend in part on nuclear-generated power; Italy and Denmark, for example, get almost 10% of their electricity from imported nuclear power.
When the commercial nuclear industry began in the 1960s, there were clear boundaries between the industries of the East and West. Today, the separate American and Soviet spheres no longer exist, and the nuclear industry is characterized by international commerce. A reactor under construction in Asia today may have components supplied from South Korea, Canada, Japan, France, Germany, Russia, and other countries. Similarly, uranium from Australia or Namibia may end up in a reactor in the UAE, having been converted in France, enriched in the Netherlands, deconverted in the UK and fabricated in South Korea.
The uses of nuclear technology extend well beyond the provision of low-carbon energy. It helps control the spread of disease, assists doctors in their diagnosis and treatment of patients, and powers our most ambitious missions to explore space. These varied uses position nuclear technologies at the heart of the world's efforts to achieve sustainable development. For more information, see page on Nuclear Energy and Sustainable Development.
Around 10% of the world's electricity is generated by about 440 nuclear power reactors. About 50 more reactors are under construction, equivalent to approximately 15% of existing capacity. In 2018 nuclear plants supplied 2563 TWh of electricity, up from 2503 TWh in 2017. This is the sixth consecutive year that global nuclear generation has risen, with output 217 TWh higher than in 2012.Twelve countries in 2018 produced at least one-quarter of their electricity from nuclear. France gets around three-quarters of its electricity from nuclear energy, Hungary, Slovakia and Ukraine get more than half from nuclear, whilst Belgium, Sweden, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Finland and Czech Republic get one-third or more. South Korea normally gets more than 30% of its electricity from nuclear, while in the USA, UK, Spain, Romania and Russia about one-fifth of electricity is from nuclear. Japan is used to relying on nuclear power for more than one-quarter of its electricity and is expected to return to somewhere near that level.
Nuclear Energy and COVID-19 Coronavirus
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The spread of the novel coronavirus has required dramatic action to be taken in all aspects of life worldwide.
Maintaining reliable electricity supply is vital. Nuclear energy provides about 10.5% of the world's electricity, and so nuclear reactors have a key role to play. Reactor operators are taking proactive steps to protect their workforce and are implementing business continuity plans to ensure the continuing function of key aspects of their operations. These actions are outlined in more detail in the WNA white paper COVID-19 Coronavirus and Nuclear Energy.
World Overview
All parts of the world are involved in nuclear power development, and some examples are outlined below.
For up-to-date data on operable, under construction and planned reactors worldwide, see table of World Nuclear Power Reactors & Uranium Requirements.
For detailed country-level information, see the Country Profiles section of World Nuclear Association's Information Library.
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