General Discussions

[DJC]

55 new nuke plants being built and plenty more being uprated with 165 uprates in the USA alone.
Nuke plants get retired due to operational lifespan being met and its estimated that 123 will be retired by 2040 but 308 will come online.
Source the World Nuclear Association...

The USA has 93 operable nuclear reactors, with a combined net capacity of 95.5 GWe. In 2020, nuclear generated 19.7% of the country's electricity.There had been four AP1000 reactors under construction, but two of these have been cancelled. One of the reasons for the hiatus in new build in the USA to date has been the extremely successful evolution in maintenance strategies. Over the last 15 years, improved operational performance has increased utilisation of US nuclear power plants, with the increased output equivalent to 19 new 1000 MWe plants being built. 2016 saw the first new nuclear power reactor enter operation in the country for 20 years. Despite this, the number of operable reactors has reduced in recent years, from a peak of 104 in 2012. Early closures have been brought on by a combination of factors including cheap natural gas, market liberalization, over-subsidy of renewable sources, and political campaigning.
Source: World Nuclear Association

To summarise the "facts" provided by the World Nuclear Association for the USA:
* There are 93 operable nuclear reactors in the USA.
* Four reactors were under construction but two have been cancelled.
* Improved maintenance has increased operational performance.
* The first new nuclear power plant in over 20 years commenced operation in 2016.
* The number of operable reactors has declined from a peak of 104 in 2012 to 93 in 2020.

It's interesting to read through the nuclear programs of different nations with Germany set to end nuclear power generation this year and France scaling back to 50% by 2035, while countries like Turkey and Bangladesh are starting construction of their first power plants.  However, you do have to treat the World Nuclear Association data with a little caution; Australia is listed as one of about 30 countries that "are considering, planning or starting nuclear power programmes".  The Australian situation is covered in more detail, and quite accurately, in another section but our listing in that category is misleading.