Global Nuclear Power in Decline: Worldwide Nuclear Fleet Shrinks – New Reactor Construction Plummets in First Half of 2025

Münster (Germany) – The global market for nuclear power plants is experiencing a drastic downturn in the first half of 2025. Only one new nuclear reactor was commissioned worldwide in the first six months of 2025 (compared to four in H1 2024) – Rajasthan-7 in India with a gross capacity of 700 MW (630 MW net).

This represents a decline of approximately 85 percent in newly installed nuclear capacity compared to the same period last year, which saw 4,550 MW gross.

Data from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) also show a decline in the number of active reactors worldwide: Two nuclear power plants were permanently shut down between January and June 2025 – Belgium’s Doel 1 (445 MW) and Taiwan’s last nuclear plant, Maanshan-2 (951 MW).

Taiwan’s formal nuclear phase-out has now been completed, following the shutdown of Maanshan-1 in July 2024. However, the country’s future energy policy direction remains unclear. In May 2025, Taiwan’s parliament approved a binding referendum on the potential recommissioning of Maanshan-2.

The vote will take place on August 23, 2025. For the result to be valid, at least 25 percent of all registered voters must vote “Yes” – not just a quarter of those who cast a vote.

Source: IWR Online, 08 Aug 2025