The nuclear renaissance is real and it's accelerating. China is building 22. Small Modular Reactors are getting first approvals. The post-Fukushima pause is ending.
60Reactors under construction globally (2024)
22China's reactors under construction
8India's reactors under construction
2US reactors (Vogtle 3 & 4, now complete)
Choose your depth. The data doesn't change — just the explanation.
Nuclear power plants make electricity without burning coal or gas. After a big accident in Japan in 2011, many countries stopped building them. But now they're building them again — 60 are being built right now around the world. China is building the most. And new smaller ones called SMRs are just getting approved.
After Fukushima (2011), global nuclear construction stalled. But climate pressures, energy security concerns (especially post-2022 Ukraine war), and improving reactor economics have reversed this. As of 2024, 60 reactors are under construction globally (IAEA PRIS data). China dominates with 22. Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) — under 300 MWe — are entering regulatory approval in the US, Canada, UK, and South Korea. NuScale's SMR received NRC design certification in 2022 (though the Utah project later cancelled). TerraPower's Natrium is proceeding in Wyoming.
IAEA PRIS database (pris.iaea.org): 60 units under construction, 415 GW total operating. China's 22 under-construction includes CAP1400, HPR1000, and HTR-PM designs. Construction cost comparison: Vogtle 3&4 finalized at ~$35B for 2.2 GW ($16/W); South Korea's APR1400 at ~$4/W; China's CPR-1000 at ~$3/W. SMR economics: NuScale UAMPS project cancelled at $89/MWh target — above gas LCOE. TerraPower Natrium (345 MWe sodium fast reactor + thermal storage) construction started Kemmerer, WY 2024. Terrestrial Energy IMSR and X-energy also in NRC pre-licensing. Key uncertainty: SMR economics depend on learning curve assumptions; first-of-kind premiums may be 2-3×.
IAEA PRIS: pris.iaea.org/PRIS/WorldStatistics/UnderConstructionReactorsByCountry.aspx. NRC SMR licensing: nrc.gov/reactors/new-reactors/smr.html. World Nuclear Association construction data: world-nuclear.org/information-library/current-and-future-generation/nuclear-power-in-the-world-today.aspx. TerraPower Natrium: terrapower.com/our-work/natriumpower. DOE Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program: energy.gov/ne/advanced-reactor-demonstration-program.
Global Nuclear Construction by Country
The map of who is building nuclear plants tells a story about energy policy, climate ambition, and geopolitical independence.
Reactors Under Construction by Country (2024)
IAEA PRIS data — top 10 countries by construction pipeline
Global Nuclear Capacity Trend (GW)
Operating capacity, with 2030 projection
SMR Development Pipeline — Key Projects
Projected capacity (MWe) by project, colored by status
⚡ Why SMRs Change the Equation
Traditional large reactors (1,000-1,700 MWe) take 10-20 years and $10-35 billion to build. Small Modular Reactors (under 300 MWe) can theoretically be factory-manufactured, shipped, and assembled in 3-5 years for $1-3 billion. The promise: faster learning curves, modular deployment, and siting flexibility. The challenge: first-of-kind costs are always higher. NuScale's cancellation showed the economics are not proven yet. But TerraPower (Bill Gates), X-energy, and Kairos Power are all proceeding with DOE subsidies and the first true SMR costs should be known by 2028-2030.