10.1% of global electricity is generated from Nuclear
What is Nuclear?
Nuclear power is the use of nuclear reactions that release nuclear energy to generate heat. The heat is used to turn a steam turbine, which turns a generator which makes electricity. Most electricity from nuclear power is produced by nuclear fission of uranium and plutonium.
Is Nuclear a low-carbon energy source?
Yes, due to its relatively low lifecycle emissions, Nuclear is considered to be a low-carbon energy source.
The median estimate of lifecycle emissions from Nuclear is 12 gCO2eq / kWh. This is based on the Technology-specific Cost and Performance Parameters report from the IPCC.
| Wind | 11 gCO2eq / kWh | Low-carbon |
| Nuclear | 12 gCO2eq / kWh | Low-carbon |
| Hydropower | 24 gCO2eq / kWh | Low-carbon |
| Geothermal | 38 gCO2eq / kWh | Low-carbon |
| Solar | 45 gCO2eq / kWh | Low-carbon |
| Biofuels | 230 gCO2eq / kWh | Low-carbon |
| Gas | 490 gCO2eq / kWh | High-carbon / fossil fuel |
| Oil | 650 gCO2eq / kWh | High-carbon / fossil fuel |
| Coal | 820 gCO2eq / kWh | High-carbon / fossil fuel |
Nuclear compared to other low-carbon energy electricity sources
Most significant producers of electricity from Nuclear
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Significant changes of low-carbon power due to Nuclear
| Region | Years | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Lithuania | 2009 → 2010 | 79.8 → 14.2% |
| Japan | 2010 → 2012 | 34.5 → 11.7% |
| Belgium | 2015 → 2019 | 44.9 → 66.6% |
| Slovakia | 1997 → 2002 | 52.5 → 72.7% |
| Czechia | 2000 → 2013 | 22.4 → 47% |
| Hungary | 2003 → 2009 | 27.5 → 44% |
| Bulgaria | 1992 → 2002 | 35.5 → 53.7% |
| South Korea | 1994 → 1999 | 33.3 → 46% |
