The global energy transition took centre stage on Energy Day at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, as the World Nuclear Association (WNA) released a preview of its World Nuclear Outlook Report 2025. The report delivers a strong message: tripling global nuclear capacity by 2050 is achievable — but only if governments accelerate action and follow through on their national commitments.
According to the WNA, global nuclear capacity could reach 1,428 GWe by 2050, surpassing the 1,200 GWe target endorsed by more than 30 countries under the Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy. The projection incorporates continued operation of current reactors, completion of those under construction, and execution of planned and proposed nuclear projects.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Sama Bilbao y León, Director General of the World Nuclear Association, stressed the critical need for urgency.
“At least tripling nuclear capacity by 2050 is achievable with the timely action of bold global industry leaders, forward-thinking governments, and an increasingly engaged civil society,” she said. “This is our chance to build a cleaner, more secure energy future for everyone, everywhere.”
The release comes days after the International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook 2025 acknowledged a renewed global interest in nuclear power. However, the IEA’s most ambitious scenario — 1,079 GWe by 2050 — still falls short of the ambition reflected in both the tripling pledge and the WNA’s latest assessment.
Key Insights for the Energy Transition
The World Nuclear Outlook 2025 identifies several trends shaping the future of nuclear energy:
Strong Policy Ambition: National plans and targets could drive nuclear capacity to 1,428 GWe by 2050 if reactor life extensions and planned builds proceed as envisioned.
Widespread Adoption: Fifty countries are projected to have nuclear capacity in operation by 2050, led by China, France, India, Russia, and the United States — together responsible for nearly 1,000 GWe.
Climate Compatibility: Recognized by the UNFCCC as a low-emission technology, nuclear energy remains one of the cleanest and most reliable tools for deep decarbonization.
Industrial Demand: Major multinationals — including Amazon, Google, Meta, Dow Chemicals, and Oxy — are increasingly backing nuclear power as they seek clean, dispatchable energy for industrial operations.
Growing Financial Support: The World Bank and other multilateral development banks have updated their policies to include nuclear projects, with 14 global financial institutions publicly supporting nuclear expansion.
Challenges Remain
Despite the promising outlook, the WNA cautions that meeting the tripling target will require:
Faster licensing and permitting processes
Expanded manufacturing and fuel cycle capacity
Clear, predictable policy frameworks
Coordinated deployment of both large reactors and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
The report notes that while policy ambition is high, implementation gaps could jeopardize progress. It calls for collaboration between experienced nuclear nations, industry leaders, and international financial institutions to support emerging economies considering nuclear energy for the first time.
Nuclear Energy’s Rising Contribution
As momentum builds, the report highlights that nuclear generation reached 2,667 TWh in 2024, avoiding an estimated 2.1 billion tonnes of CO₂ emissions — equivalent to nearly twice the carbon footprint of global aviation. Nuclear currently accounts for 9% of global electricity, making it the second-largest clean energy source after hydropower.
The full World Nuclear Outlook Report 2025 will be published later this year, with a preview and presentation already available for stakeholders and the public.