Nuclear Energy Now tracks the latest nuclear energy developments across technology, diplomacy, industry trends, and geopolitics.
Global Nuclear Generation Breaks a World Record in 2024
Interest in nuclear energy has had a clear uptick, but it’s not just interest that has increased. According to the World Nuclear Association’s World Nuclear Performance Report, nuclear generation worldwide increased to 2,667 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2024, surpassing the 2006 record of 2,660 TWh. Asia has driven the majority of that growth, accounting for 56 of 68 reactors commissioned over the past decade and 59 of the 70 reactors currently under construction. Last year, seven new reactors became operational in China, India, France, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States, and nine projects broke ground in China, Egypt, Russia, and Pakistan. Meanwhile, four reactors were shut down in Russia, Canada, and Taiwan, which has officially completed its nuclear phase-out. As AI puts unprecedented pressure on grids, this milestone highlights nuclear energy’s important role in meeting global electricity demand.
The World Nuclear Association Projects Rising Uranium Demand
Stemming from the increased interest in nuclear energy, the World Nuclear Association (WNA) projects that uranium demand will rise by nearly 30 percent by 2030 in its World Nuclear Fuel Report. Nuclear capacity, currently at 372 GWe, could grow to between 552 GWe and 966 GWe by 2040, depending on policy and market conditions, with most growth driven by China, India, life extensions for existing plants, and new small modular reactors (SMRs). This growth could double requirements from 68,920 tonnes of uranium (tU) in 2025 to up to 200,000 tU by 2040 in a high-growth scenario. While the world currently has sufficient uranium resources to meet demand, many of the top-producing mines are expected to be depleted by the mid-2030s, and development timelines for new mines have increased to 10-20 years. Currently, 90 percent of demand is met by newly mined uranium, but secondary sources such as recycled fuel and inventories are shrinking and will play a diminishing role in the future. The report highlights the need for increased investment across the nuclear fuel cycle—particularly in mining—to avoid future bottlenecks that could hinder nuclear energy’s expansion.
India and the United States Advance Their Nuclear Energy Partnership
While tensions between the United States and India remain high due to tariffs, their nuclear energy partnership has taken a positive step forward. The two countries signed their first nuclear technology transfer agreement, specifically for Primary Coolant Pump (PCP) technology. The agreement supports India’s “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-reliant India) policies by strengthening domestic supply chains and reducing reliance on imports. More broadly, India is pushing to dramatically expand its nuclear energy capacity, targeting 100 gigawatts (GW) by 2047 in order to meet its net-zero goal by 2070. As of April, India operates 25 reactors with 8.88 GW of capacity, accounting for three percent of its electricity generation. By localizing technologies such as PCPs, India seeks to increase its nuclear energy generation, supporting its massive infrastructure growth plan, and promoting energy security. For the United States, the agreement strengthens its role as a technology partner at a time when nuclear supply chains are dominated by China and Russia and helps to support the currently strained India-US relationship.
The United States Breaks Ground on First Sodium-Cooled Reactor in Four Decades
Following its selection for the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Nuclear Reactor Pilot Program, Aalo Atomics has broken ground in Idaho on its first experimental extra-modular nuclear reactor (XMR), Aalo-X. The company aims to achieve criticality by July 2026, in line with the DOE’s target for at least three advanced test reactors to go live under the program, and achieve commercial use by 2029. Once operational, Aalo-X will be the first new sodium-cooled reactor in the United States in more than 40 years, signaling a major milestone for advanced nuclear innovation. Aalo-X serves as a precursor to the Aalo Pod, a 50-megawatt electrical (MWe) XMR designed to provide clean, reliable power to data centers, a sector that is pushing up energy demand.
About the Author: Emily Day
Emily Day is an experienced researcher, writer, and editor with expertise in geopolitics, nuclear energy, and global security. She is an Associate Editor of Energy World and Techland at The National Interest and a Research Associate at Longview Global Advisors, where she provides insights on global political and economic trends with a specialization in utilities, risk, sustainability, and technology. She was previously a Della Ratta Energy and Global Security Fellow at the Partnership for Global Security.
Image: Eakkapon Sriharun/Shutterstock
