A new record year for nuclear energy, are tripling capacity plans on track?

Nuclear reactors worldwide generated 2702 TWh of electricity in 2025, beating the previous year's record of 2667 TWh, according to the newly published World Nuclear Outlook Report. The report also calculates that if all national targets for new nuclear capacity were achieved, total nuclear energy capacity would more than meet the widely-shared goal to at least triple nuclear capacity by 2050. The author of the World Nuclear Association report, Jonathan Cobb, who is senior programme lead, climate, at the association, outlines the key findings on nuclear energy plant performance and prospects. For instance, there is further evidence that the output and reliability of nuclear energy units remains high across the lifetime of reactors, increasing in many cases as units age.Looking ahead at the prospects for new nuclear capacity, he outlines how projects under construction, planned and pledged could see the current 423 GWe capacity increase to 1457 GWe by 2050 (GWe is gigawatts of electrical capacity). New capacity under construction increased to 82 GWe, with eleven reactors starting construction in 2025.The combined total of planned, proposed and potential capacity increased to 416 GWe, reducing the gap between actual projects and government targets, although around 550 GWe of currently envisaged capacity by 2050 under national targets has yet to be translated into specific project plans.As well as reviewing the progress towards individual countries' targets, the report includes a series of policy recommendations for governments, industry, financiers and regulators. These range from "establishing durable policy and investment frameworks, streamlining regulation and strengthening supply chains, to building the workforce, supporting proven reactor deployment and creating the programme-based delivery models needed". It also highlights that maintaining and extending the existing fleet is the fastest and most cost-effective way to secure low-carbon electricity.Key links to find out more:World Nuclear NewsWorld Nuclear Performance Report 2025Email newsletter:Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-upsContact info:[email protected] credit:  Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production