On 15 September 2025, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) published the 45th edition of its annual estimates report, Energy, Electricity and Nuclear Power Estimates for the Period up to 2050. The report raises global nuclear power projections for the fifth consecutive year. As of end-2024, there were 417 operational reactors worldwide with a capacity of about 377 GW(e). Under the high-case scenario, nuclear capacity could nearly double by 2050 to ~992 GW(e), while in the low-case scenario it would reach ~561 GW(e). Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are projected to play a growing role, contributing nearly a quarter of new capacity in the high-case scenario.
The report underscores nuclear energy’s strategic importance as a baseload, low-carbon source for meeting climate targets. For India, these projections reinforce the case for scaling up nuclear investments, accelerating SMR deployment, and building regulatory and workforce capacity. Aligning nuclear expansion with renewable integration is critical to achieving both energy security and climate goals.
Follow the full report here:
https://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/p15942-25-02880E_RDS-1-45_web.pdf
Press release here:
https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/pressreleases/iaea-raises-nuclear-power-projections-for-fifth-consecutive-year
