Asia's Nuclear Energy Growth

Updated Monday, 29 April 2024

Asia is the main region in the world where electricity generating capacity and specifically nuclear power are growing significantly.
In Asia there are about 140 operable nuclear power reactors, about 35-40 under construction and firm plans to build an additional 55-60. Many more are proposed.
The greatest growth in nuclear generation is expected in China.

In contrast to North America and most of Western Europe, where growth in electricity generating capacity and particularly nuclear power has been limited for many years, a number of countries in Asia are planning and building new nuclear power reactors to meet their increasing demand for clean electricity. Currently about two-thirds of the reactors under construction worldwide are in Asia.

Capacity figures provided below are net for operable reactors and gross for under construction and planned.

China

55 operable reactors (53.3 GWe net), 24 under construction (27.2 GWe gross), 44 planned (48.6 GWe gross).

China is moving ahead rapidly in building new nuclear power plants. Units currently under construction are a mix of indigenous and Western designs. Between December 2011 and December 2021, most new units have been added in China (39 of 68), where over the ten-year period generation from nuclear increased by about 400%. The impetus for nuclear power in China is due to air pollution from coal-fired plants as well as climate change.

India

22 operable reactors (6.8 GWe), 8 under construction (6.7 GWe), 12 planned (8.4 GWe).

India has achieved independence in its nuclear fuel cycle. The Indian government is committed to growing its nuclear power capacity as part of its massive infrastructure development programme. The government expects nuclear capacity to reach about 22.5 GWe by the year 2031.

India is a pioneer in developing the thorium fuel cycle, and has several advanced facilities related to this.

Japan

33 operable reactors (31.7 GWe) though many of these are temporarily shutdown, 2 under construction (2.8 GWe), 1 planned (1.4 GWe).

Japan was generating up to 30% of its electricity from nuclear power up to 2011. Nuclear contribution had been expected to increase to 41% by 2017, and longer-term plans were to double nuclear capacity (to 90 GWe) and nuclear share by 2050. However, following the Fukushima accident in March 2011, these plans were dropped, with nuclear expected to provide about 20% of electricity following the conclusion of the reactor restart process.

Japan is committed to reprocessing its used fuel to recover uranium and plutonium for re-use in electricity production.

South Korea

25 operable reactors (24.4 GWe), 3 under construction (4.2 GWe).

South Korea meets just under 25% of its electricity needs from nuclear power. Nuclear energy has long been a strategic priority for South Korea. The president elected in 2017 introduced a policy to phase nuclear energy out over some 45 years. The following president, Yoon Suk-yeol, elected March 2022, pledged to scrap this policy.

South Korea is among the world's most prominent nuclear energy countries, and exports its technology widely. It is currently involved in the building of four nuclear reactors in the UAE, under a $20 billion contract.

Pakistan

6 operable reactors (3.3 GWe), 1 planned (1.2 GWe).

Pakistan generates about 7% of its electricity from nuclear. An expansion of nuclear capacity has long been a central element of Pakistan's energy policy. The government's 2014 plans outlined an aim for 8.9 GWe of nuclear capacity at ten sites by 2030.

Emerging countries

Multiple other countries in Asia are planning to introduce nuclear power into their electricity mix. Full details can be found in the World Nuclear Association's Emerging Nuclear Countries information page.

Nuclear Power in Asia, and Involvement with the Nuclear Fuel Cycle

	Power Reactors Operable	Power Reactors Under Construction	Power Reactors Planned	Research Reactors Operable	Other Stages of the Fuel Cycle
Australia				1	UM
Bangladesh		2		1
China	55	24	44	16	UM, C, E, FF
India	22	8	12	5	UM, FF, R, WM
Indonesia				3	FF
Japan	33	2	1	3	C, E, FF, R, WM
Kazakhstan				4	UM
S. Korea	25	3		2	C, FF
N. Korea				1	C?,FF?,R
Malaysia				1
Pakistan	6		1	2	UM, E, FF
Vietnam				1
Total	141	39	58	40

Key: UM Uranium mining, C Conversion, E Enrichment, FF Fuel fabrication, R Reprocessing, WM Waste management facilities for used fuel away from reactors.