IAEA Releases Country Nuclear Power Profiles 2017

Shant Krikorian, IAEA Department of Nuclear Energy

The dome of Unit 5 at Fuqing Nuclear Power Plant, in China, 2017. Fuqing NPP Units 5 and 6, currently under construction, are Hualong One type reactors. (Photo: CNPP)

The IAEA has released its annual edition of the Country Nuclear Power Profiles (CNPP), documenting the status and development of nuclear power programmes worldwide as of the end of 2017.
The publication summarizes organizational and industrial aspects of nuclear power programmes, including information about relevant legislative, regulatory and international framework, in 50 countries, including 30 that are currently operating nuclear power plants, and 20 with past or planned nuclear power programmes.

Member States can directly provide information regarding their respective energy, economic and regulatory policies to promote transparency of their nuclear power programme infrastructure, through a coordinated and vetted publication.

Pal Vincze, Head, IAEA Nuclear Power Engineering Section

Nuclear power currently provides about 11% of the world’s electricity, with 12 countries using nuclear power for at least 30% of their national electricity generation. As of today, there are 449 operational nuclear power reactors in 30 countries, with 56 others under construction in 15 countries.
“The publication serves as an important resource not only for researchers, but also for decision makers and the wider public,” said Pal Vincze, Head of the IAEA’s Nuclear Power Engineering Section. “It is one of the few avenues through which Member States can provide information regarding their energy, economic and regulatory policies to promote transparency of their nuclear power programmes through a coordinated and vetted publication.”
The profiles provide a descriptive overview of the overall economic, energy and electricity situation in each country, with its nuclear power framework. Statistical data about nuclear plant operations, energy and electricity use are drawn from national contributions as well as IAEA data bases and World Development Indicators of the World Bank.
The 2017 edition outlines activities and summaries of 30 countries with nuclear power programmes, 14 of which are actively expanding their fleets and 6 others considering possible expansion. Two newcomers are planning to start operating their first nuclear power reactors in 2018: Belarus and the United Arab Emirates.

Reactors under construction: Of the 56 new reactors under construction worldwide, 39 are in Asia. (Source: IAEA PRIS Database)

 “Nuclear power remains an important option for many countries to improve energy security, reduce the impact of volatile fossil fuel prices and mitigate the effects of climate change and air pollution,” recognized the IAEA International Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Power in the 21st Century.
“We look forward to engaging Member States in order to maintain the relevance and timeliness of the publication,” said Marianne Nari Fisher, one of the responsible officers of the resource at the IAEA. “This ensures the accuracy of information regarding the status of nuclear power around the world.”
A full revamp of the CNPP web site and its structure is expected in 2019.
Questions regarding the CNPP online resource or annual publication, can be directed to: CNPP.Contact-Point@iaea.org