Key facts
- The World Nuclear Association counted 79 reactors under construction as of October 16, 2026, per Nikkei.
- Eleven reactors began construction in 2026, the World Nuclear Association said, according to Nikkei.
- The last higher count was 91 reactors in 1986, the year of the Chernobyl accident, per the report.
- Nikkei attributed the increase to higher fossil fuel prices and electricity demand from artificial intelligence.
The number of nuclear reactors under construction worldwide rose to 79, the highest level in 40 years, Nikkei reported. The World Nuclear Association counted 11 reactors that began construction in 2026 and 79 under construction as of October 16, 2026, the report said. The last time the figure was higher was 1986, when 91 reactors were being built, the year of the Chernobyl accident.
Rising fossil fuel prices and growing electricity consumption from artificial intelligence are driving new construction plans, according to the report. It cited the worsening situation in the Middle East as a factor behind higher fossil fuel costs.
The report did not name the countries or companies behind the construction starts, and it did not give a capacity figure for the 79 reactors.