U.S. Has World’s Largest Nuclear Plant Fleet
With 94 reactors in operation in 2024 and a net capacity of nearly 97 gigawatts, the U.S. has the biggest nuclear generation fleet in the world (Energy Information Administration).
The competition: “The next three countries with the largest programs were France with 57 units (63.0 GW), China with 57 units (55.3 GW) and Russia with 36 units (28.6 GW).”
By the numbers: The U.S. gets 19% of its electricity from nuclear power.
- The country has 54 plants in total, each of which has between one and four operating units.
Change over time: Though 12 reactors have been shuttered permanently since 2013, “plant operators have maintained consistently high annual capacity factors, which measure how much time units are operating.”
- “U.S. nuclear capacity factors have increased in part because of shorter refueling and maintenance outages and improved operational experience.”
The policy environment: Nuclear power has bipartisan support, and two successive presidential administrations have encouraged its expansion. Congress has taken steps to reform outdated reactor licensing and environmental reviews at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission that the NAM has long supported.
- “In January 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy provided credits to support the continued operation of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant in California. In 2024, the electricity produced at Diablo Canyon (2.2 GW) accounted for 9% of California’s total electricity generation.”
- “More recently, the U.S. Department of Energy approved a loan to support restarting the Palisades nuclear power plant in Michigan. If realized, Palisades would become the first previously retired nuclear power plant in the United States to return to operating status.”
The NAM says: “Nuclear is a critical source in the United States’ energy portfolio,” said NAM Director of Energy and Resources Policy Michael Davin. “Manufacturers support nuclear energy as a way to ensure we can meet the growing energy demand that is tied to increased electrification, advanced manufacturing and the growth of data centers and artificial intelligence.”