For the second year in a row, ten new nuclear reactors
started to generate electricity in 2016, the highest number since the
1980s, according to the 2017 edition of the IAEA’s
Nuclear Power Reactors in the World.
As of 31 December 2016, 448 reactors were in operation worldwide,
with a net capacity of 391GW of electricity, the highest in history.
Within the same period, three reactors were permanently shut down and
61 nuclear reactors were under construction. Two reactors remain in
long-term shut down.
“In the past two years 20 new nuclear power reactors were connected
to the grid and started producing electricity. This demonstrates the
important role that nuclear power continues to play in meeting growing
energy demand throughout the world,” said Mikhail Chudakov, IAEA Deputy
Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Energy.
This reference guide provides global data on new nuclear power plants
as well as details on the various types of reactors in operation,
Chudakov highlighted.
This is the 37
th edition of Reference Data Series No.2,
which summarizes information on power reactors in operation, under
construction and shut down as well as performance data of operational
reactors in IAEA Member States. It also includes data on the types of
reactors, nuclear electricity production, the categories of new reactors
connected to the grid, technical terms used during the decommissioning
process of reactors, and the specification and performance history data
of operating reactors.
The information is collected through designated national counterparts in Member States who feed to the IAEA’s
Power Reactor Information System (PRIS). PRIS
is home to the most current and frequently updated figures on nuclear
reactors in the world, also with details on country levels.
Nuclear power can deliver a steady baseload supply of electricity
needed to power a modern economy. It is generally competitive, offers a
low cost, reliable long term source of electricity, and has a good
operational record. NPPs produce virtually no greenhouse gas emissions
or air pollutants during their operation and have only very low
emissions over their entire life cycle.
The IAEA provides assistance and information to countries that are
considering introduction of nuclear power. It helps interested Member
States to develop their energy planning capabilities and establish the
necessary infrastructure for a safe, secure and sustainable nuclear
power programme.
