Key Takeaways
- In 2023, global nuclear power generation reached 2,652 TWh, accounting for 9% of total electricity production.
- As of end-2023, there were 413 operable nuclear reactors worldwide with a total net capacity of 392.7 GWe.
- The USA has 93 operable reactors with 94.7 GWe capacity, leading the world.
- Nuclear reactors have provided over 80,000 reactor-years of operation worldwide.
- Zero deaths from radiation at commercial nuclear plants in the US over 60 years.
- Chernobyl caused 28 immediate deaths and up to 4,000 long-term cancer deaths per UN.
- No increase in leukemia near German nuclear plants per KiKK study follow-up., category: Safety and Incidents
- Overnight capital cost for new US nuclear: $6,395/kW.
- Levelized cost of nuclear: $77-81/MWh in 2023.
- US nuclear avoids $12B/year in fuel costs vs fossil.
- Nuclear avoids 2.5B tons CO2 annually.
- Lifetime emissions nuclear: 12 gCO2/kWh vs coal 820.
- Land use nuclear: 0.3 m2/MWh vs solar 5.1.
- 65 reactors under construction, 100 planned.
- Nuclear capacity to triple by 2050 per IAEA.
The global nuclear industry remains a significant, safe, and expanding source of low carbon electricity.
Capacity and Generation
Capacity and Generation Interpretation
Economic Factors
Economic Factors Interpretation
Environmental Impact
Environmental Impact Interpretation
Global Trends and Future
Global Trends and Future Interpretation
Safety and Incidents
Safety and Incidents Interpretation
How We Rate Confidence
Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.
Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.
AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree
Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.
AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree
All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.
AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
Marie Larsen. (2026, February 13). Nuclear Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/nuclear-industry-statistics
Marie Larsen. "Nuclear Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/nuclear-industry-statistics.
Marie Larsen. 2026. "Nuclear Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/nuclear-industry-statistics.
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