Nuclear electricity generation share drops to lowest value in 4 decades

This is despite the 3.9% increase in the produced electricity.

The share of nuclear energy in the global commercial gross electricity generation dropped to 9.8% in 2021, the first time it reached below 10% and the lowest value in four decades due to the rise of electricity generation.

According to the World Nuclear Report, nuclear energy’s share is over 40% below the peak of 17.5% in 1996.

Overall in 2021, the world nuclear fleet produced 2,653 terawatt-hours of electricity, increasing by 3.9% but is still below the 2019 level.

READ MORE: Nuclear power to reach 873GW(e) by 2050: IAEA

There were 411 reactors operating in 33 countries as of mid-2022, four less than last year, with six units connected to the grid in 2021, three of which were from China.

The report added five new units that started operations in the first half of 2022, two of which were from China.