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9% of global electricity is generated from Nuclear

8.97 % Share of global electricity
12 gCO2eq/kWh Carbon Intensity
Nuclear

Nuclear energy, a powerful and efficient source of electricity, is derived from the nuclear reactions that occur in the core of a reactor. Through the process of nuclear fission, atomic nuclei, typically uranium-235 or plutonium-239, are split into smaller parts. This releases a significant amount of energy in the form of heat. The energy produced by nuclear reactions is incredibly dense, meaning a small amount of nuclear fuel can produce a large amount of energy. This makes nuclear a compelling option for providing a stable and substantial supply of electricity to power grids worldwide.

The process of generating electricity using nuclear energy begins with nuclear fission in a reactor. The heat produced by this reaction is used to convert water into steam in a steam generator. This steam then drives a turbine connected to a generator, which produces electricity. After passing through the turbine, the steam is cooled down and turned back into water to be cycled back into the system. This process of converting nuclear energy into electricity is clean and highly efficient, emitting no direct greenhouse gases during operation. The minimal emissions associated with nuclear power make it an excellent choice for nations looking to reduce their carbon footprint.

Nuclear energy stands out for its incredibly low carbon intensity, at merely 12 gCO2eq/kWh. This is comparable to the clean energy generated by wind and solar, which have carbon intensities of 11 and 45 gCO2eq/kWh, respectively. These low numbers starkly contrast with fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas, which emit significantly higher levels of greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change and air pollution. The low carbon emissions of nuclear, along with other clean energy sources like wind and solar, are critical in driving the global transition towards a more sustainable and less polluting energy supply.

Globally, nuclear energy contributes to about 9% of the electricity consumed, showcasing its significant role in the energy landscape. In several regions, nuclear stands as a cornerstone of electricity generation. For example, more than half of the electricity in New Hampshire, Illinois, and South Carolina is generated from nuclear sources. Alabama and Finland also rely heavily on nuclear, with close to a third and almost 40% of their electricity coming from this source, respectively. These examples underscore the potential of nuclear energy to provide large-scale and reliable low-carbon electricity.

The advantages of nuclear energy are not just limited to its low-carbon profile and substantial contribution to the electricity mix in numerous places. Its scalability means nuclear can be expanded to meet growing electricity demand, anticipated from advancements in technology and increases in electrification, such as electric vehicles and new industrial processes. With its stability and consistent power generation capabilities, nuclear energy provides a reliable backbone for clean energy strategies worldwide, complementing the variable nature of other low-carbon sources like wind and solar.

As we move forward, the importance of clean electricity cannot be overstated. The ongoing and anticipated demands from the electrification of transport, heating, and the growth of technology sectors like AI underline the need for a substantial increase in low-carbon electricity generation. Nuclear, alongside solar and wind, is poised to meet this challenge, offering a sustainable path towards reducing the carbon footprint of our energy systems and ensuring a brighter, cleaner future.

Country/Region kWh/person % TWh
South Carolina 9814.2 W 53.6% 53.8 TWh
Alabama 8625.4 W 31.1% 44.5 TWh
Illinois 7805.7 W 53.3% 99.2 TWh
New Hampshire 6867.7 W 55.9% 9.7 TWh
Finland 5823.1 W 37.7% 32.7 TWh
Pennsylvania 5765.4 W 31.0% 75.4 TWh
France 5692.7 W 68.0% 379.3 TWh
Arkansas 4780.1 W 24.8% 14.8 TWh
Sweden 4750.0 W 29.2% 50.5 TWh
Connecticut 4590.5 W 37.4% 16.9 TWh
Tennessee 4453.1 W 29.7% 32.2 TWh
Georgia (US) 4290.9 W 31.0% 48.0 TWh
Arizona 4271.5 W 27.9% 32.4 TWh
North Carolina 3924.4 W 30.1% 43.3 TWh
South Korea 3646.0 W 30.3% 188.7 TWh
Mississippi 3632.3 W 14.4% 10.7 TWh
Slovakia 3300.8 W 62.1% 18.2 TWh
Virginia 3285.1 W 20.3% 28.9 TWh
Louisiana 3194.2 W 14.2% 14.7 TWh
Kansas 3098.4 W 15.7% 9.2 TWh
Nebraska 3039.6 W 16.2% 6.1 TWh
United Arab Emirates 3032.7 W 19.6% 32.3 TWh
New Jersey 2913.1 W 36.0% 27.7 TWh
Czechia 2751.2 W 40.7% 29.8 TWh
Slovenia 2725.9 W 34.2% 5.8 TWh
Switzerland 2684.9 W 30.5% 24.0 TWh
Belgium 2672.0 W 37.2% 31.4 TWh
Michigan 2591.7 W 21.1% 26.3 TWh
Maryland 2357.7 W 23.9% 14.8 TWh
Bulgaria 2302.2 W 41.8% 15.5 TWh
United States 2269.8 W 17.8% 782.0 TWh
Canada 2175.7 W 13.7% 86.2 TWh
Minnesota 2044.6 W 17.2% 11.8 TWh
Belarus 1833.7 W 36.0% 16.5 TWh
Wisconsin 1702.2 W 14.0% 10.1 TWh
Missouri 1685.3 W 12.8% 10.5 TWh
Hungary 1662.2 W 32.7% 16.0 TWh
Ukraine 1512.1 W 54.6% 62.1 TWh
Ohio 1510.3 W 11.1% 17.9 TWh
Russia 1487.0 W 17.8% 215.7 TWh
New York 1362.7 W 20.6% 27.1 TWh
Washington 1252.4 W 9.8% 10.0 TWh
Florida 1243.1 W 10.8% 29.1 TWh
Texas 1234.0 W 6.8% 38.6 TWh
Spain 1140.9 W 19.6% 54.8 TWh
Armenia 908.0 W 30.0% 2.6 TWh
Japan 685.7 W 8.3% 84.9 TWh
United Kingdom 591.7 W 13.0% 40.8 TWh
Romania 567.7 W 19.3% 10.8 TWh
Republic of China (Taiwan) 524.1 W 4.2% 12.2 TWh
California 466.1 W 7.1% 18.4 TWh
The World 339.1 W 9.0% 2767.6 TWh
People's Republic of China 312.6 W 4.4% 445.2 TWh
Argentina 228.7 W 6.7% 10.4 TWh
Netherlands 197.9 W 2.9% 3.6 TWh
South Africa 133.4 W 3.5% 8.6 TWh
Pakistan 97.2 W 13.4% 24.5 TWh
Mexico 94.4 W 3.4% 12.3 TWh
Brazil 74.2 W 2.1% 15.7 TWh
Iran 72.7 W 1.7% 6.6 TWh
India 37.7 W 2.7% 54.7 TWh
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