Buzz
According to the 2021 World Nuclear Industry Status Report, there are currently 33 countries utilizing nuclear power globally. However, only 14 nations are actively advancing this technology. Incidents at nuclear reactors in Chernobyl (1986) and Fukushima (2011) led many countries to abandon or scale back nuclear development, opting to contract rather than expand this energy source.
Presently, worldwide nuclear power production has declined by 3.9% compared to 2020. China, on the other hand, has commissioned 2 additional reactors, contributing to a 4.4% increase in nuclear power output compared to the same period last year. The global market share of nuclear power now stands at 10.1% of total electricity generated worldwide, a significant drop from 17.5% in 1996.Ten years ago, the world boasted 437 active nuclear reactors. Fast forward to 2021, and the count has dwindled to 415, marking a 5% reduction with 22 reactors phased out. India and China, however, are actively constructing an additional 25 reactors combined.The United States remains the top nation with the highest number of operational nuclear reactors. However, China is rapidly closing in. Over the past decade, China seamlessly integrated 39 reactors into its national power grid, with plans for dozens more in the pipeline.Presently, Japan only maintains 9 reactors and has expressed intentions to soon abandon its nuclear power development program. Other nations that have completely phased out nuclear power include Italy (1987), Kazakhstan (1998), and Lithuania (2009).
