Global nuclear power capacity could more than triple by 2060, with small modular reactors (SMRs) expected to be a major driver of the increase.
For the sixth year in a row, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has revised up its predictions for the expansion of nuclear power plants across the world.
At the end of 2025, 413 nuclear power reactors were operating worldwide, providing 377.1 gigawatts electric (GW(e)) of global nuclear generating capacity. In the IAEA’s high case projection, capacity reaches 1045 GW(e) by 2050, compared with 992 GW(e) projected last year, before increasing further to 1284 GW(e) by 2060 – approximately 3.4 times the 2025 level.
Countries are rapidly scaling the technology up, as it provides climate-friendly baseload generation that is less prone to the sort of energy price shocks seen with fossil fuels in recent years. Rapid electrification of industrial processes and transport is also leading to broad increases in energy demand.
About 45% of the world...