Nuclear power comes from nuclear fission
Nuclear power reactors use heat produced during atomic fission to boil water and produce pressurized steam. The steam is routed through the reactor steam system to spin large turbines blades that drive magnetic generators to produce electricity.
Nuclear fission occurs when a neutron slams into a larger atom, forcing it to excite and split into two smaller atoms—also known as fission products. Additional neutrons are also released that can initiate a chain reaction. When each atom splits, a tremendous amount of energy is released.
At the center of a nuclear reactor is the core, which contains fuel fabricated from uranium ore. Uranium ore is mined and processed to be eventually formed into ceramic pellets. Each ceramic pellet produces about the same amount of energy as 150 gallons of oil. These energy-rich pellets are stacked end-to-end in 12-foot fuel rods that are loaded into the reactor fuel assembly for plant operation.
Nuclear reactors in the United States may have large concrete domes covering the reactors, which are required to contain accidental releases of radiation. Not all nuclear power plants have cooling towers. Some nuclear power plants use water from lakes, rivers, or the ocean for cooling.
Containment dome of a nuclear reactor
Source: Stock photography (copyrighted)
Nuclear power plants have generated about 20% of U.S. electricity since 1990
As of August 1, 2023, 93 nuclear reactors were operating at 54 nuclear power plants in 28 states. Of the 54 operating nuclear power plants, 19 have one reactor, 31 have two reactors, and 4 have three reactors. The U.S. nuclear energy industry has supplied about 20% of total annual U.S. electricity since 1990.
The United States generates more nuclear power than any other country
In 2021, 33 countries had commercial nuclear power plants, and in 15 of those countries, nuclear energy supplied at least 20% of their total annual electricity generation. The United States had the most nuclear electricity generation capacity and generated more nuclear electricity than any other country. France had the second-largest nuclear electricity generation capacity and third-highest nuclear electricity generation. In addition, France had the world's highest nuclear share—about 68%—of total national annual electricity generation.
Top five nuclear electric generation capacity countries, 2021
| Country | Nuclear electricity generation capacity (million kilowatts) | Nuclear electricity generation (billion kilowatthours) | Nuclear share of country's total electricity generation |
|---|
| United States | 95.49 | 778.15 | 19% |
| France | 61.37 | 360.70 | 68% |
| China | 53.26 | 407.52 | 5% |
| Russia | 27.73 | 222.44 | 20% |
| South Korea | 24.43 | 150.52 | 26% |
| Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, International Energy Statistics, as of August 7, 2023 |
Last updated: August 21, 2023, with data available as of August 7, 2023.
FAQs
EIA is the Nation's premier source of energy information and, by law, its data, analyses, and forecasts are independent of approval by any other officer or employee of the United States Government.
How many nuclear power plants are active in the US? ›
There are 54 nuclear power plants operating in the United States. Electricity generation from commercial nuclear power plants in the United States began in 1958. As of August 1, 2023, the United States had 93 operating commercial nuclear reactors at 54 nuclear power plants in 28 states.
Are there any nuclear power plants being built in the US? ›
No new U.S. nuclear plants are currently being built. Vogtle is now the largest U.S. source of clean energy, the White House said. Nuclear energy accounts for about 19% of U.S. power generation, compared with 4% for solar and 10% for wind.
Who owns US nuclear power plants? ›
U.S. Nuclear Plant Owners and Operators
| Plant Name | Operator Name | Percent ownership |
|---|
| Beaver Valley 2 | Energy Harbor Nuclear Corp. | 100.0 |
| Braidwood 1 | Constellation Energy Generation, LLC | 100.0 |
| Braidwood 2 | Constellation Energy Generation, LLC | 100.0 |
| Browns Ferry 1 | Tennessee Valley Authority | 100.0 |
64 more rowsThe U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) receives funding through an annual appropriation from Congress. Our budget falls under the authority of the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Energy and Water Development.
Who runs the US Energy Information Administration? ›
Which U.S. state has the most nuclear power plants? ›
Illinois is also the state with the largest number of nuclear power reactors in operation in the U.S.. This state of the Northern Midwest had 11 nuclear reactors in 2023, located in six different nuclear power plants.
How many nuclear power plants are in the U.S. in 2024? ›
How many nuclear power plants are in the United States, and where are they located? As of April 30, 2024, there were 54 commercially operating nuclear power plants with 94 nuclear power reactors in 28 states.
When was the last nuclear power plant built in the United States? ›
Prior to Vogtle Unit 3, the last nuclear reactor to start in the United States was Watts Bar Unit 2 in Tennessee. Construction on Watts Bar 2 began in 1973 but was suspended in 1985. Work resumed in 2007, and the reactor came online in 2016.
Why is the US not building nuclear power plants? ›
High construction costs and radioactive waste storage issues are also oft-cited hurdles to nuclear energy advancement. Still, many advocates say that nuclear power is key to reducing emissions from electricity generation.
Palo Verde Generating Station (PVGS) is considered the largest nuclear energy facility in the United States. It is located approximately 55 miles west of downtown Phoenix near the community of Wintersburg, Arizona.
What is the lifespan of a nuclear power plant? ›
Most nuclear power plants have operating life- times of between 20 and 40 years. Ageing is defined as a continuing time-dependent degradation of material due to service conditions, including normal operation and transient conditions.
Is Bill Gates building a nuclear power plant? ›
The new facility, designed by the Gates-founded TerraPower, will be smaller than traditional fission nuclear power plants and, in theory, safer because it will use sodium instead of water to cool the reactor's core.
Who guards US nuclear power plants? ›
| Federal Protective Forces |
|---|
| Part of | United States Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management National Nuclear Security Administration |
| Nickname(s) | ProFor |
| Motto(s) | Semper Vigil ("Always Watchful") |
| Website | nnsa.energy.gov energy.gov |
8 more rowsReactors use uranium for nuclear fuel. The uranium is processed into small ceramic pellets and stacked together into sealed metal tubes called fuel rods. Typically, more than 200 of these rods are bundled together to form a fuel assembly.
Is the IEA credible? ›
The IEA's energy analyses, international data collection, and coordinated collective emergency response capabilities are unique and highly regarded.
Is the U.S. Department of Energy peer reviewed? ›
The Department of Energy Public Access Gateway for Energy and Science (DOE PAGES) is the official DOE repository and discovery tool, developed by the DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI), that makes peer-reviewed scholarly scientific publications resulting from DOE research funding publicly ...
Is the U.S. energy secure Why or why not? ›
The country's energy security is bolstered by large domestic oil reserves and relatively low per-capita energy use, according to the report. The United States ranks seventh, with a risk score slightly better than the average member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Is energy information administration part of the DOE? ›
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) is the statistical and analytical agency within the U.S. Department of Energy.
