The latest annual World Nuclear Performance Report from the World Nuclear Association (WNA) says global nuclear electricity generation increased in 2023, despite a 1 GWe drop in overall NPP capacity, to 392 GWe. “The increase in generation, despite a drop in capacity, highlights the excellent performance and value delivered by nuclear energy to the grid,” WNA said.
The new report – the ninth in the series – says nuclear generation supplied more than 2600 TWh in 2023, up 58 TWh from 2022, accounting for 9% of the world’s electricity production. The increase was partly due to the return to service of French reactors after extended outages, contributing an additional 42 TWh.
The average capacity factor of nuclear reactors increased by 1%, to 81.5% in 2023, “highlighting the reliability delivered by nuclear energy to the grid”. Nuclear reactors have consistently achieved more than 80% capacity factors for the past 20 years.
Nuclear reactors helped avoid 2.1bn tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions in 2023 from equivalent coal generation “with only China, India, and the USA having higher national CO2 emissions”, the report notes.
There were 437 reactors in operation at the end of 2023 – the same as at the end of 2022 – with five reactors shutting down (Belgium’s Tihange 2, Taiwan’s Kuosheng 2 and Germany’s Emsland, Isar 2 and Neckarwestheim 2) and five being connected to the grid (China’s Fangchenggang 3, Slovakia’s Mochovce 3, USA’s Vogtle 3, Belarus’s Ostrovets 2 and South Korea’s Shin-Hanul 2).
Six new construction projects started in 2023, five in China (Sanmen 4, Haiyang 4, Lufeng 6, Lianjiang 1 and Xudabao 1) and one in Egypt (El Dabaa 3). Of the 64 reactors currently under construction, more than two-thirds are in Asia, including 30 in China. Eastern Europe and Russia are second to Asia in terms of the number of units under construction.
“The World Nuclear Performance Report 2023 data and case studies illustrate the work being done to improve operational performance and make the most of the current nuclear fleet,” said WNA Director General Sama Bilbao y León.
“At the same time, a significant increase in new nuclear construction is necessary if the tripling goal is to be achieved. This level of construction depends on the nuclear industry rising above the financing, supply chain and regulatory challenges faced by new projects, particularly in the Western world.”
The 33-page report features three case studies including: the planned restart of the Palisades nuclear power plant in Michigan, which was shut down in May 2022 after more than 50 years of operation; the planned long-term operation of South Korean reactors; and a power uprate at unit 3 of the Czech Republic’s Dukovany plant.
Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director of Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation and Chair of World Nuclear Association, said: “The Performance Report is the authoritative stock-take for the performance of over 439 reactors that form the global fleet.… With many more reactors under development and a further 64 under construction, we look forward to this growth to continue as part of the momentum to triple global nuclear energy capacity by 2050 to not only meet net-zero targets and boost national energy security, but to satisfy the huge wave of demand coming from energy intensive industries such as AI, data centres and electric vehicles.
In her concluding remarks, Sama Bilbao y León said nuclear technologies will have a broader role than traditional grid electricity supply. “There is increasing interest from end energy users such as data centres, which have high electricity requirements, and industrial producers, that require heat for chemical and material production applications or desalination. This offers the potential to decarbonise the wider economy, especially hard-to-abate sectors.”
She added: “The global nuclear reactor fleet has a proven track record of excellent performance. It is now time to build on that track record and significantly accelerate the pace of new nuclear construction.… The industry is set for a major expansion, and we can expect more governments and companies to sign the declaration to triple global nuclear energy capacity. Additionally, we anticipate increased collaboration with other industries. Now is the time for the nuclear industry to capitalize on this momentum and deliver the full potential of nuclear energy for people and planet.”
