nuclear getting stronger

JAIF Issues “World Nuclear Power Plants 2014”
On April 14, the Japan Atomic Industrial Forum, Inc. (JAIF) published “World Nuclear Power Plants 2014”, a report on the latest status of nuclear power plants worldwide, based on a questionnaire sent to power utilities and other companies around the globe.
As of January 2014, there were 426 operating nuclear power plants (NPPs) worldwide, with generating capacity of 386,356MW, down three units and 1,878MW from the previous year.
In the wake of the March 2011 accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (NPS), nuclear development appeared to stall around the world. During 2013, however, four new NPPs began to be constructed in the United States—the first time that had happened in 35 years—and China saw the launch of full-scale construction and the successive commissioning of several NPPs. Accordingly, the number of plants under construction worldwide climbed to 81, the highest since 1992.
Progress was particularly conspicuous in Asia. The number of NPPs under construction in Asia—including a remarkable 31 in China—accounted for more than 60 percent of the world’s total. Also, Belarus began the construction of its first NPP, aiming for commercial operation in 2018, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) launched the construction of its second unit.
Three NPPs entered commercial service during 2013: two in China and one in Iran. The latter represented Iran’s first commercial unit ever, raising the number of countries and regions currently utilizing nuclear power to 31.
Plans were clarified in 2013 regarding 14 new NPPs (total capacity of 13,700MW), to be built in seven countries. Those plans are expected to make actual progress. Subtracting canceled projects, 100 NPPs (112,920MW) were classified as “being planned.” Notably, two NPPs (combined 2,000MW) are newly planned in Bangladesh, representing the first such units in that country.
AIJ Secretariat, JAIF