Nuclear energy in America

 

Nuclear power accounts for approximately 18% of total utility-scale electricity generation in the United States. [1, 2]

According to data from the ⁠U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), nuclear plants consistently produce around 780 to 816 billion kilowatthours of electricity annually. This makes nuclear power the single largest source of low-carbon, emissions-free electricity in the country, providing over 40% of America's clean energy. [1, 2]

The U.S. Electricity Generation Mix

Nuclear energy acts as a major baseload power source alongside fossil fuels and expanding renewable infrastructure. [1, 2, 3, 4]

• Natural Gas: 40% – 41%
• Renewables (Wind, Solar, Hydro, etc.): 24% – 26%
• Nuclear: 18%
• Coal: 15% – 17% [1, 2, 3]

Quick Industry Facts

• Total Infrastructure: The U.S. operates 57 commercial nuclear plants with 96 operational reactors spread across 28 states. [1]
• Top Producer: The U.S. is the largest producer of nuclear power globally, generating about 30% of the world's nuclear electricity. [1]
• High Efficiency: American nuclear plants operate with a capacity factor of over 90%, meaning they run at maximum output almost entirely around the clock, far exceeding the reliability of wind or solar. [1, 2]
• Top States: Certain states rely on nuclear far more than the national average. For instance, South Carolina, Illinois, and New Jersey generate over 50% of their total in-state electricity from nuclear facilities. [1, 2, 3]