Global nuclear capacity to reach nearly 500 GW by 2035

Guess what will drive this increase.

The global nuclear power capacity is projected to reach 494 gigawatts (GW) by 2035 amidst a shift to clean energy sources.

According to GlobalData’s “Nuclear Power Market, Update 2025 – Market Size, Segmentation, Major Trends, and Key Country Analysis to 2035” report, the increase in nuclear energy capacity will be fueled by the emergence of small modular reactors (SMR).

Mohammed Ziauddin, power analyst at GlobalData, also said the increasing adoption of nuclear energy is being fueled by the the growing focus on energy security due to geopolitical tensions, increasing demand for low-carbon dispatchable power, government support through regulations and incentives, advancements in SMRs and next-gen technologies, and a surge in electricity demand from data centres.

Nuclear generation is projected to increase from 2,616 terawatt-hours (TWh) to 3,410 TWh over 2024 to 2035, reflecting a  2% compound annual growth rate. 

Whilst US remains the largest nuclear power producer with its 97 GW installed capacity, China has the youngest and fastest-growing nuclear fleet. Beijing has expanded its capacity to 56 GW, producing 386.1 TWh, surpassing France’s 333.3 TWh annual generation.

There are over 100 SMR reactors at various stages of development. A few are currently operating in Russia and China, with more than 10,000 megawatts expected to be added by 2035. Countries such as the US, Canada, the UK, China, and Russia are leading the charge with diverse deployment strategies.

“As countries ramp up their focus on SMRs, lifetime extensions, and advanced nuclear technologies, the nuclear power market is poised for long-term growth, driven by the dual goals of energy resilience and climate neutrality,” Ziauddin said.