Global nuclear power generation has reached a historical high, with China becoming the most critical factor.
According to a report by American magazine Forbes on August 2nd, the global nuclear power generation will reach a historical peak in 2025. Almost all of this growth is attributed to China. Over the past decade, China's nuclear power production has increased nearly threefold. This not only fills the gap in global nuclear power growth but also rapidly reduces the gap with the United States, a traditional nuclear power nation.
According to data from the latest World Energy Statistical Yearbook cited by Forbes, global nuclear power plants will generate a total of 2845 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2025, an increase of approximately 30 terawatt-hours compared to 2024, representing a 1.3% increase and setting a record high for the year.
However, this record does not mean that the global nuclear power industry is on the verge of a full revival.
Data shows that while global nuclear power generation has exceeded the previous record set in 2006, it has only increased by about 1.5% over 19 years. Over the past decade, global nuclear power generation has risen from 2576 terawatt-hours in 2015 to 2845 terawatt-hours in 2025, an increase of approximately 10.5%.
In this process, China has become the main source of growth.
From 2015 to 2025, China’s nuclear power generation will increase from 171 terawatt-hours to 485 terawatt-hours, an increase of approximately 314 terawatt-hours. During the same period, the global nuclear power generation will increase by approximately 270 terawatt-hours.
This means that China’s new nuclear power capacity not only covers global growth, but actually offsets the impact of declining nuclear power production in other regions.
Fouqing Nuclear Power Plant Units 1-6 Panorama (Fouqing Nuclear Power Plant Over the East Sea) Visual China
Currently, the United States remains the world’s largest nuclear power producer. By 2025, the United States will generate 826 terawatt-hours of nuclear power, accounting for approximately 29% of the global total. China ranks second with 485 terawatt-hours, accounting for 17.1% of the global total. France ranks third, generating 390 terawatt-hours, accounting for 13.7% of the global total.
The US's leading advantage is shrinking.
Data shows that U.S. nuclear power generation has remained largely constant over the past decade. In 2015, U.S. nuclear power generation was 839 terawatt-hours, slightly higher than the level in 2025. In contrast, China’s nuclear power generation has nearly tripled over the same period, with an average annual growth rate of nearly 11%.
Forbes states that if both countries maintain their current growth rates, China could surpass the United States in about 5 years and become the world's largest nuclear power producer.
In addition to China, France and Japan have also promoted the growth of nuclear power globally in 2025. France's nuclear power generation will increase by 9.6 terawatt-hours, reaching 390 terawatt-hours. Previously, due to the shutdown of some units, France's nuclear power output decreased temporarily, but it is currently recovering and is still below the level of 2015.
By 2025, Japan's nuclear power generation will increase by 9.2 terawatt-hours, a year-on-year increase of 11.1%, reaching 94 terawatt-hours. Japan's nuclear power output has recovered from the low point after the Fukushima nuclear accident, but there is still a significant gap compared to pre-accident levels. In 2010, Japan's nuclear power generation was approximately 292 terawatt-hours, which is more than three times the level in 2025.
In terms of regions, the focus of global nuclear power growth is gradually shifting towards Asia. From 2015 to 2025, the nuclear power generation in the Asia-Pacific region will increase from about 420 terawatt-hours to nearly 845 terawatt-hours, doubling over a decade. Currently, this represents approximately 30% of global nuclear power generation.
In contrast, Europe’s nuclear power generation has decreased significantly, from 968 terawatt-hours in 2015 to 759 terawatt-hours in 2025, a decrease of nearly 22%. North America’s nuclear power generation will be 921 terawatt-hours in 2025, slightly lower than the 952 terawatt-hours in 2015.
The article points out that the trend of nuclear power growth also shows differences between developed and emerging economies. Over the past decade, the nuclear power generation in OECD member countries decreased by approximately 96 terawatt-hours, while in non-OECD countries, it increased by nearly 366 terawatt-hours. Although developed economies still account for the majority of global nuclear power production, the new growth is increasingly coming from regions such as Asia.
According to data from the National Energy Administration, as of now, there are 120 nuclear power units in operation and under construction in mainland China. Their total installed capacity is 135 million kilowatts, making China the country with the largest nuclear power capacity in the world. Among these, 62 units are in operation, with a capacity of 66.14 million kilowatts, ranking second in the world and accounting for 1.6% of the country’s total power generation capacity. Additionally, there are 58 units under construction, with a capacity of 69.51 million kilowatts, making China the country with the largest nuclear power capacity in the world.
The Forbes report concludes that the global nuclear power record in 2025 is more a reflection of the rapid expansion of nuclear power in China than a result of a global trend in nuclear power construction. The United States still holds the position as the country with the largest share of nuclear power generation, but its output has been stable over time. China, through continuous construction, is gradually changing the global nuclear power landscape.
