Global nuclear generation up 1.8% in 2023, led by US and China

Japan saw the fastest growth in nuclear share as it resumed operations of reactors.

Nuclear power generation rebounded from a five-year low in 2022 with a slight increase of 1.8% year-on-year to reach 2,686 terawatt-hours in 2023, with China as the second largest electricity producer in the sector.

In the Global Electricity Review 2024 report, energy think tank Ember said the United States was the largest electricity producer from nuclear at 775 TWh, followed by China and China and France, with 435 TWh and 336 TWh. These three markets account for 58% of the total globally.

“After a period of consistent growth from 2013 onwards, the last five years have seen global nuclear generation fluctuate significantly. Retirements in some European economies, maintenance in France and Japan, as well as growth in China, have resulted in increased volatility,” the report read.

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France saw the largest generation growth with the addition of 41 TWh, followed by Japan with 26 TWh new addition, and China with 17 TWh.

Overall, however, the share of nuclear generation in the energy mix declined to 9.1% in 2023 from 10.6% in 2015, with Asia and the Middle East the only regions recording an increase in nuclear share.

Japan saw the fastest growth in nuclear share to 7.6% from 0.4% in 2015 as it restarted reactors, following the shutdown after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.

“Due to global electricity demand nearly doubling over the same period, the share of nuclear power in the global electricity mix has declined significantly,” the report added.