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Ranked: Countries Building the Most Nuclear Reactors
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Key Takeaways
- China accounts for 37 of the world’s reactors under construction—more than all other listed countries combined.
- India and Russia rank a distant second, with six reactors each currently being built.
- As of September 2025, the United States, France, and Canada have no reactors under construction.
China is in the middle of the largest nuclear construction push in the world.
Dozens of reactors are rising across the country, representing nearly 43 gigawatts of new generating capacity. That buildout alone exceeds what every other nation currently has under construction combined.
This chart breaks down which countries are expanding nuclear power in 2025, and below we also cover how much power they are adding to their grids.
The data comes from the World Nuclear Association.
China’s Massive Nuclear Expansion
China currently has 37 reactors under construction, representing roughly 42.9 gigawatts (GW) of new capacity.
That is more than six times the capacity being built in either India or Russia, the next closest countries.
As electricity demand rises and older plants retire, nuclear expansion will play a decisive role in shaping long-term energy security and grid stability.
| Country | Reactors Under Construction | Megawatts |
|---|---|---|
| China | 37 | 42.9K |
| India | 6 | 5.2K |
| Russia | 6 | 4.2K |
| Egypt | 4 | 4.8K |
| Türkiye | 4 | 4.8K |
| South Korea | 3 | 4.2K |
| Bangladesh | 2 | 2.4K |
| Japan | 2 | 2.8K |
| Ukraine | 2 | 1.9K |
| United Kingdom | 2 | 3.4K |
| Argentina | 1 | 0.03K |
| Brazil | 1 | 1.4K |
| Hungary | 1 | 1.2K |
| Iran | 1 | 1.1K |
| Pakistan | 1 | 1.1K |
| Slovakia | 1 | 0.5K |
| Canada | 0 | 0K |
| France | 0 | 0K |
| USA | 0 | 0K |
Most reactors are initially licensed to operate for about 40 years, though many receive extensions to 60 years or even 80 years with upgrades and maintenance. As older plants reach the end of their lifespans, new reactors are needed to replace retiring capacity, support grid stability, and help countries meet long-term decarbonization goals.
India and Russia in Second Place
India and Russia are tied for second place with six reactors each under construction. India’s projects total 5.2 GW of capacity, slightly above Russia’s 4.2 GW.
After that, activity drops off quickly. Egypt and Türkiye each have four reactors underway, while most other countries are building one or two.
Notably, several established nuclear powers are absent from the list. As of September 2025, the United States, France, and Canada have no reactors under construction.
Learn More on the Voronoi App
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