The year 2025 marked another disappointing chapter for nuclear power, as the world witnessed a surge in renewable energy sources. This stark contrast is a cause for concern and a topic that deserves our attention.
The latest World Nuclear Industry Status Report paints a clear picture:
- A mere 4 power reactors started operating globally in 2025, with a capacity of 4.4 gigawatts (GW), while 7 reactors were permanently shut down, resulting in a net growth of only 1.6 GW.
- The four new reactors were in China, Russia, and India, the lowest number since 2017.
- Seven reactors were permanently shut down in Belgium, Russia, and Taiwan.
- This net decline of 3 operating reactors makes 2025 the worst year since 2012, when the Fukushima disaster led to many permanent closures.
As of January 1, 2026, the World Nuclear Status Report reveals:
- 404 nuclear power reactors were operational worldwide, a decrease of 5 from the previous year and a significant drop from the historic peak of 438 in 2002.
- Nuclear energy's contribution to global electricity generation stood at a mere 9.0 percent, a far cry from its peak of 17.5 percent in 1996.
- Only 31 countries were operating nuclear power plants, with Taiwan joining the list of countries abandoning nuclear power, following Italy, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, and Germany.
The global stagnation in nuclear power continues, with no signs of improvement. The installed nuclear capacity of 4.4 GW in 2025 pales in comparison to the estimated 793 GW of solar and wind capacity, a staggering difference.
China, the only significant growth market, added 2.5 GW of new nuclear capacity in 2025, but this is dwarfed by the estimated 275 GW of solar capacity installed in the same period. The nuclear share of electricity generation in China has been declining for four consecutive years.
Despite this, the number of countries actively building power reactors has plummeted. Only 11 countries are currently constructing reactors, a significant drop from 16 just two years ago.
The construction of small modular reactors and 'Generation IV' reactors, such as fast neutron reactors, fusion reactors, and molten salt reactors, is notably absent from the lists.
The decline in countries building reactors is a concerning trend, and it raises questions about the future of nuclear power.
The World Nuclear Association remains optimistic, projecting a more than threefold increase in global nuclear power capacity by 2050. However, this projection is riddled with fine print and assumptions, making it highly questionable.
The industry's challenges are numerous, with the primary issue being the staggering uneconomical nature of nuclear power. Recent and proposed projects showcase the high costs involved, making it difficult to justify continued investment.
In contrast, renewable energy sources, particularly solar and wind, are experiencing rapid growth. The International Energy Agency predicts the installation of an impressive 4,600 GW of new renewable capacity in the next five years, a significant leap from the previous five-year period.
Renewables are expected to surpass coal as the largest source of electricity generation globally by the end of 2025 or mid-2026 at the latest. The share of renewables in global electricity generation is projected to rise to 43 percent by 2030, meeting over 90 percent of global electricity demand growth.
The contrast between the stagnation of nuclear power and the rapid growth of renewables is striking. Over the past decade, renewable electricity generation has outpaced nuclear power, and this trend is set to continue, with renewables expected to dominate by a factor of 5-7 by the end of this decade.
This article raises important questions about the future of energy production and the role of nuclear power. Is it time to shift our focus and investment towards more sustainable and economically viable renewable energy sources? The floor is open for discussion and debate.
