Asia's Nuclear Energy Growth

Updated Tuesday, 8 September 2026

Asia is the main region in the world where electricity generating capacity and specifically nuclear power are growing significantly.
In Asia there are about 150 operable nuclear power reactors, around 55 under construction and firm plans to build about an additional 60-70. Many more are proposed.
The greatest growth in nuclear generation is expected in China.

In contrast to North America and most of Western Europe, where growth in reliable electricity generating capacity and particularly nuclear power has been limited for many years, a number of countries in Asia are planning and building new nuclear power reactors to meet their increasing demand for clean electricity. Currently about two-thirds of the reactors under construction worldwide are in Asia.

Capacity figures provided below are net for operable reactors and gross for under construction and planned.

China

64 operable reactors (64.0 GWe net), 38 under construction (43.3 GWe gross), 43 planned (49.2 GWe gross).

China is moving ahead rapidly in building new nuclear power plants. About 50% of reactors under construction are in China. Between January 2014 and January 2024 70 new reactors were connected to the grid globally, 37 of which were in China. The impetus for nuclear power in China is due to air pollution from coal-fired plants as well as climate change.

India

24 operable reactors (7.9 GWe), 8 under construction (6.6 GWe), 14 planned (8.3 GWe).

India has achieved independence in its nuclear fuel cycle. The Indian government is committed to growing its nuclear power capacity as part of its massive infrastructure development programme, with a target of 100 GWe by 2047.

India is a pioneer in developing the thorium fuel cycle, and has several advanced facilities related to this. The 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam achieved first criticality in April 2026.

Japan

33 operable reactors (31.7 GWe), of which 15 have restarted since the 2011 Fukushima accident, 2 under construction (2.8 GWe).

Japan was generating up to 30% of its electricity from nuclear power up to 2011. Nuclear contribution had been expected to increase to 41% by 2017, and longer-term plans were to double nuclear capacity (to 90 GWe) and nuclear share by 2050. However, following the Fukushima accident in March 2011, these plans were dropped. The Seventh Strategic Energy Plan, adopted in February 2025, targets nuclear power providing about 20% of electricity in fiscal 2040.

Japan is committed to reprocessing its used fuel to recover uranium and plutonium for re-use in electricity production.

Kazakhstan

2 planned reactors (2.4 GWe)

Kazakhstan is the world’s largest producer of uranium. A single Russian nuclear power reactor operated from 1972 to 1999, generating electricity and desalinating water. In October 2024, 70% of voters backed new nuclear energy in a national referendum. In June 2025 the country selected Rosatom to build its planned plant in the Almaty region; an intergovernmental agreement with Russia was signed in May 2026 and an engineering, procurement and construction contract in September 2026.

Pakistan

6 operable reactors (3.3 GWe), 1 under construction (1.2 GWe).

Pakistan generates about 17% of its electricity from nuclear. An expansion of nuclear capacity has long been a central element of Pakistan's energy policy. The government's 2014 plans outlined an aim for 8.9 GWe of nuclear capacity at ten sites by 2030.

South Korea

26 operable reactors (25.6 GWe), 4 under construction (5.7 GWe).

South Korea meets about 30% of its electricity needs from nuclear power. Nuclear energy has long been a strategic priority for South Korea. The president elected in 2017 introduced a policy to phase nuclear energy out over some 45 years. The following president, Yoon Suk-yeol, elected March 2022, scrapped this policy and set a target for nuclear to provide a minimum of 30% of electricity by 2030. Under his successor, Lee Jae-myung, elected June 2025, the government confirmed in January 2026 that two new large reactors under the 11th Basic Plan would proceed. Sites for these and for a small modular reactor were selected in June 2026.

South Korea is among the world's most prominent nuclear energy countries, and exports its technology widely.

Uzbekistan

4 planned reactors (2.1 GWe)

Uzbekistan generates most of its electricity from natural gas. The country is planning for a two-unit small modular reactor plant in the Jizzakh region, based on the Russian 55 MWe RITM-200N reactors. The site will also host two VVER-1000 reactors.

Vietnam

2 planned reactors (2.4 GWe)

Vietnam has considered establishing nuclear power generation since 1995, and firm proposals surfaced in 2006. Russia had agreed to finance and build 2400 MWe of nuclear capacity from 2020, and Japan had agreed similarly for another 2200 MWe. In November 2016 plans were cancelled in favour of gas and coal, but in late 2024 the National Assembly voted to restart the nuclear programme. In March 2026 an intergovernmental agreement was signed with Russia for the construction of Ninh Thuan 1, with two VVER-1200 reactors.

Emerging countries

Multiple other countries in Asia are planning to introduce nuclear power into their electricity mix. Full details can be found in the World Nuclear Association's Emerging Nuclear Countries information page.

Nuclear Power in Asia, and Involvement with the Nuclear Fuel Cycle

COUNTRY	REACTORS OPERABLE	REACTORS UNDER CONSTRUCTION	REACTORS PLANNED	RESEARCH REACTORS OPERABLE	OTHER STAGES OF THE FUEL CYCLE
	No.	No.	No.	No.
Australia	0	0	0	1	UM
Bangladesh	0	2	0	1
China	64	38	43	16	UM, C, E, FF
India	24	8	14	5	UM, FF, R, WM
Indonesia	0	0	0	3	FF
Japan	33	2	0	3	C, E, FF, R, WM
Kazakhstan	0	0	2	4	UM, FF
Korea RO (South)	26	4	0	2	C, FF
Korea DPR (North)	0	0	0	1	C?, FF?, R
Malaysia	0	0	0	1
Pakistan	6	1	0	2	UM, E, FF
Uzbekistan	0	0	4		UM
Vietnam	0	0	2	1
Total	153	55	65	40
	No.	No.	No.	No.

Key: UM Uranium mining, C Conversion, E Enrichment, FF Fuel fabrication, R Reprocessing, WM Waste management facilities for used fuel away from reactors.