World Nuclear Industry Status Report — annual assessment of global nuclear power

Scope and methodology

The report synthesizes information from publicly available government statistics, operator reports, industry publications and investigative reporting. Typical metrics include numbers of reactors operating or under construction, cumulative capacity, capacity factors, annual generation and the share of nuclear electricity in national and global mixes. WNISR also documents project delays, cancellations, lifetime extensions and decommissioning plans. Where data are uncertain, the report notes caveats and uses conservative assumptions to avoid overstating capacity or output.

Key findings and trends

Over recent decades the report has noted that the global share of electricity supplied by nuclear power declined in the 2000s as other sources, particularly renewables and some fossil fuels, expanded more rapidly. Recent editions report nuclear power supplying roughly 13 percent of world electricity and around 5.5 percent of primary energy. The report emphasises that these shares vary by country: some states continue to invest in new-build programmes while others pursue phase-outs, life extensions for ageing plants, or comprehensive decommissioning plans.

Regional patterns

WNISR highlights strong geographic variation. In parts of East Asia and certain other countries new construction has sustained or increased capacity, whereas several European countries and some others have implemented phase-out policies or postponed projects following safety and economic reassessments. The United States has seen a mix of life extensions and retirements, while developing economies may plan nuclear projects as part of long-term energy strategies.

Policy, economics and safety considerations

The report is often used to frame debates about the economics of new reactors versus alternatives, project cost and schedule risk, and the role of nuclear power in decarbonization strategies. It discusses safety, waste management and the implications of ageing fleets. WNISR does not itself prescribe policy but provides evidence that policy makers and stakeholders can use when weighing trade-offs between investment, reliability, safety and emissions goals.

Uses, audiences and limitations

Policy makers, utilities, investors, researchers, journalists and civil society groups use WNISR to inform energy planning, climate analyses and public debate. The report is a secondary source that compiles and interprets primary data; readers should consider it alongside other technical studies, industry reports and national statistics. Methodological differences between sources can lead to different estimates for the same indicators, so WNISR's value lies in its independent and systematic approach to tracking trends.

Access and further information

Full issues, data tables and supplementary materials are published annually by the report team and are made available through the report's website. For the most recent edition and archived reports, see the publisher's page at World Nuclear Industry Status Report.

Critical reception

WNISR is widely cited in public debates and academic work for its thorough compilation of operational and project-level information. Supporters value its independent perspective and long time series, while critics sometimes challenge particular interpretations or call for different methodological choices. As with any comprehensive review, its findings are most useful when considered alongside technical, economic and national studies.