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Country Profiles

Countries A-F

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Argentina has three operable nuclear reactors generating about 5% of its electricity. Its first commercial nuclear power reactor began operating in 1974.

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Armenia has relied heavily on nuclear power since 1976. It has one reactor in operation and the government plans to build another.

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Australia's uranium has been mined since 1954, and three mines are currently operating. Australia's known uranium resources are the world's largest – 29% of the world total. It is th...

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Bangladesh plans to have two large Russian nuclear power reactors in operation in the 2020s. This is to meet rapidly-increasing demand and reduce dependence on natural gas.

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Unit 1 of Belarus's first nuclear power plant was connected to the grid in November 2020. A second VVER-1200 unit was connected to the grid in May 2023.

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Belgium has six nuclear reactors generating about half of its electricity. Belgium's first commercial nuclear power reactor began operating in 1974. There has been little government support f...

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Brazil has two nuclear reactors generating about 3% of its electricity. Construction began on a third reactor in 2010, was suspended in 2015, recommenced in November 2022, but suspended agai...

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Bulgaria has two nuclear reactors generating about one-third of its electricity. Bulgaria's first commercial nuclear power reactor began operating in 1974. Government commitment to the future of n...

Canada: Nuclear Power

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About 15% of Canada's electricity comes from nuclear power. For many years Canada has been a leader in nuclear research and technology, as well as a high proportion of the world supply of radioiso...

Canada: Uranium

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Canada was the world's largest uranium producer for many years, accounting for about 22% of world output. Canada will have a significant role in meeting future world demand for uranium.

China: Nuclear Fuel Cycle

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China has become self-sufficient in most aspects of the fuel cycle. The country aims to produce one-third of its uranium domestically, obtain one-third through foreign equity in mines and joint ventur...

China: Nuclear Power

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China has become largely self-sufficient in reactor design and construction, as well as other aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle. The strong impetus for nuclear power in China is increasingly due to ai...

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The Czech Republic has six nuclear reactors generating about one-third of its electricity. Its first commercial nuclear power reactor began operating in 1985. Government commitment to the future of nu...

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Denmark gets about half of its electricity from wind. The country is part of two major electrical grids which depend on nuclear and hydro for much of the base-load supply.

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Egypt has considered establishing nuclear power since the 1960s. It has started construction on a nuclear power plant comprising four large Russian reactors with significant desalination cap...

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Finland has five operating nuclear reactors. Provisions for radioactive waste disposal are well-advanced.

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France derives about 70% of its electricity from nuclear energy. This is due to a long-standing policy based on energy security. France is the world's largest net exporter of electricity due to it...

Countries G-N

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Germany until March 2011 obtained one-quarter of its electricity from nuclear energy, using 17 reactors. Following the Fukushima accident in Japan in March 2011, eight reactors shut down immediately w...

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Hungary has four nuclear reactors generating about half of its electricity. Its first commercial nuclear power reactor began operating in 1982. Government support for nuclear energy is strong.

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India has a largely indigenous nuclear power programme and has ambitious plans to expand nuclear capacity. The country has a vision of becoming a world leader in nuclear technology due to its expertis...

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Indonesia's population of about 260 million is served by power generation capacity of only about 70 GWe. A 10 MWe experimental nuclear power reactor is planned to be built at Serpong, near Ja...

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Following many years of construction, Iran's first nuclear power reactor started up in 2011. Two further large Russian-designed units are planned, the first of which commenced construction in Nove...

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Italy has had four operating nuclear power reactors but shut the last two down following the Chernobyl accident. About 5% of the electricity consumed in Italy is from nuclear power – all im...

Japan: Nuclear Fuel Cycle

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Japan has a full nuclear fuel cycle set-up, including enrichment and reprocessing of used fuel for recycle. Nuclear energy has been a national strategic priority since 1973.

Japan: Nuclear Power

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Japan needs to import some 90% of its energy requirements. Nuclear energy has been a national strategic priority since 1973. Following the 2011 Fukushima accident this policy was reviewed and reaffirm...

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Jordan imports most of its energy and seeks greater energy security as well as lower electricity prices. It had been planning to build a 2000 MWe nuclear power plant for operation by 2025, to provide ...

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Kazakhstan has 12% of the world's uranium resources. It is the world's leading uranium producer. The government is committed to increased uranium exports, and is considering future options for...

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Kyrgyzstan has some uranium deposits and has supplied Russia in the past. It hosts a uranium mill which treats Kazakh uranium ore on a toll basis.

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Lithuania closed its last nuclear reactor, which had been generating 70% of its electricity, at the end of 2009. Electricity was a major export until the closure of Lithuania's nuclear plant.

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Mexico has two nuclear reactors generating almost 4% of its electricity. Its first commercial nuclear power reactor began operating in 1989.

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Uranium was produced from the Dornod deposit in Mongolia by Russian interests to 1995. Mongolia has substantial known uranium resources and geological prospectivity for more. Since 2008 Russia has re-...

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Namibia has significant uranium mines capable of providing 10% of world mining output. Its first commercial uranium mine began operating in 1976. There is strong government support for expanding urani...

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The Netherlands has one nuclear reactor generating a small amount of its electricity. A previous decision to phase out nuclear power has been reversed. Public and political support is increa...

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New Zealand is one of the few developed countries not using electricity (indigenous or imported) from nuclear energy. As hydro-electric potential was progressively utilized, nuclear power featured in ...

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Niger's first commercial uranium mine began operating in 1971. The country has two significant uranium mines providing about 5% of world mining output from Africa's highest-grade uranium ores....

Countries O-S

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Pakistan has six operating reactors. Because Pakistan is outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty due to its weapons programme, it is largely excluded from trade in nuclear plant or materials...

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Construction of the Bataan nuclear plant in the Philippines commenced in 1976 and was completed in 1984. Following the Chernobyl accident in April 1986, the new President, Corazon Aquino, decided not ...

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Poland plans to have nuclear power from about 2033 as part of a diverse energy portfolio, moving it away from heavy dependence on coal.

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Romania has two nuclear reactors generating about 20% of its electricity. Romania's first commercial nuclear power reactor began operating in 1996 and its second started up in May 2007.

Russia: Nuclear Fuel Cycle

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A major increase in uranium mine production is planned. There is increasing international involvement in parts of Russia's fuel cycle. Exports are a major Russian policy and economic objectiv...

Russia: Nuclear Power

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Russia is moving steadily forward with plans for an expanded role of nuclear energy, including development of new reactor technology. Exports of nuclear goods and services are a major Russian policy a...

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Saudi Arabia has plans to establish a civil nuclear power industry.

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Slovakia has five nuclear reactors generating half of its electricity and one more under construction. Slovakia's first commercial nuclear power reactor began operating in 1972.

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Slovenia has shared a nuclear power reactor with Croatia since 1981.

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South Africa has two nuclear reactors generating 5% of its electricity. South Africa's first commercial nuclear power reactor began operating in 1984. Government commitment to the future of nuclea...

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South Korea is among the world's most prominent nuclear energy countries, and exports its technology widely. Today 26 reactors provide about one-third of South Korea's electricity from 26...

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Spain generates about a fifth of its electricity from nuclear power. Its first commercial nuclear power reactor began operating in 1968. There are plans for renewed uranium mining. Government commitme...

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Sweden's nuclear power reactors provide about 40% of its electricity. In 1980, the government decided to phase out nuclear power but this policy was repealed in June 2010. In 2015 decisions were m...

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Switzerland has four operational nuclear reactors. Two large new units were planned. However, in June 2011 parliament resolved not to replace any reactors, and hence to phase out nuclear power by 2034...

Countries T-Z

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Tajikistan is mineral-rich and has some uranium deposits. It has substantial issues with legacy waste from past uranium mining and milling as a regional centre.

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Turkey has had plans for establishing nuclear power generation since 1970. The country's first nuclear power plant, at Akkuyu, commenced construction in April 2018.

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Ukraine is heavily dependent on nuclear energy – it has 15 reactors generating about half of its electricity.

Ukraine: Russia-Ukraine War and Nuclear Energy

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Russia's invasion of Ukraine has impacted the country's nuclear power facilities. This page provides a summary of the latest developments.

United Arab Emirates

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The UAE has commenced a nuclear power programme. It accepted a bid from a South Korean consortium to build four commercial nuclear power reactors at Barakah, the first of which was grid connected in A...

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Most of the current fleet of reactors in the UK is due to retire by 2030. Construction has commenced on the first of a new generation of plants.

USA: Nuclear Fuel Cycle

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The USA is reviving its uranium mining, though almost all the uranium used in US commercial reactors is imported. A new centrifuge enrichment plant is now operating to replace very old and inefficient...

USA: Nuclear Power

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The USA's reactors provide about 20% of its electricity. These have a high level of performance.

USA: Nuclear Power Policy

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The government is heavily involved through safety and environmental regulations, R&D funding, and setting national energy goals. The commitment to nuclear power as part of the USA's long-term ...

USA: Uranium Mining and Exploration

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US Uranium Mining and Exploration. Uranium mining in the USA today is undertaken by few companies on a relatively small scale. Uranium exploration is undertaken by many companies, often going ove...

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Uzbekistan has considerable mineral deposits, including uranium. Today, most uranium is mined in the middle of the country, with Navoi as the centre, linked to mines by railway. Construction ...

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Vietnam has considered establishing nuclear power generation since 1995, and firm proposals surfaced in 2006. In November 2016 these plans were cancelled.

Others

Asia's Nuclear Energy Growth

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Asia is the main region in the world where electricity generating capacity and specifically nuclear power is growing significantly. The greatest growth in nuclear generation is expected in China.

California's Electricity

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California has a large and growing population and a flourishing economy, with a major high-technology sector. Electricity demand has been rising steadily for many years. In 2000-01 there was an acute ...

Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries

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About 30 countries are actively considering, planning or starting nuclear power programmes.

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The EU depends on nuclear power for more than one-quarter of its electricity, and a higher proportion of base-load power. Nuclear provides about half the low-carbon electricity. Very different en...

Nuclear Power in Taiwan

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Taiwan has one operable nuclear power reactor. It was constructing two advanced reactors, but this project was cancelled. Imports account for over 95% of the energy, and are vital to the rapidly indus...

Uranium in Africa

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The continent of Africa has considerable mineral deposits, including uranium. Exploration and mine development is proceeding in countries which have not hitherto supplied uranium.