Nuclear energy has its drawbacks; nevertheless, it is generally viewed as a cleaner and more efficient method of energy generation compared to conventional fossil fuels. Since the mid-1950s, numerous countries have embraced nuclear power, but the United States stands out as the frontrunner.
As of early 2025, the U.S. boasts 54 nuclear power plants, the highest number globally. These facilities comprise 94 reactors with a combined capacity of 97 gigawatts (GW). Nuclear power contributes approximately 19% of the country’s total electricity supply, with 28 states participating in nuclear energy production, all located in the contiguous U.S. Illinois is at the forefront, having six plants that collectively generate 7,642 megawatt-hours (MWh), which accounts for over half of the state’s total energy output, according to November 2025 data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Other significant contributors to nuclear energy include Pennsylvania with 5,943 MWh and Georgia, which produces 4,603 MWh from its nuclear facilities.
Notably, Georgia houses the largest nuclear power installation in the U.S., Plant Vogtle. Established in 1987 with an initial reactor, the plant added its fourth reactor in March 2024, boosting its total capacity to approximately 4,800 megawatts, surpassing Arizona’s Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station.
The current state of nuclear power worldwide
While the United States leads the globe in both the number of nuclear power facilities and their collective capacity, it is not the only nation making significant investments in nuclear energy. According to data from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the next five leading countries, following the U.S., are France, China, Russia, and South Korea.
France holds the second position with 57 reactors providing 63 GW of electric power, although the country has faced challenges maintaining all its reactors operational in recent years. For instance, in 2022, French reactors were offline for a cumulative 8,515 days. A 2025 incident even forced the shutdown of the Gravelines plant due to jellyfish entering its cooling system. China, with its 58 reactors, produces 56.45 GW, a figure expected to rise as the government greenlit the construction of 11 new reactors in August 2024.
The disparity becomes evident as we move down the list; Russia generates 26.77 GW from 33 reactors, which places it slightly ahead of South Korea, producing 25.61 GW from 26 reactors. Interestingly, Japan, despite not ranking in the top five, operates the world’s largest nuclear power facility, the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant. However, uncertainties loom over its future capability, particularly as authorities had to halt operations just a day after it reopened in January 2026.
