Driven by a substantial surge in terminal power demand across emerging industries, global investment in nuclear power is set to accelerate steadily.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) released its Energy, Electricity and Nuclear Power Projections to 2060 report on September 14, upgrading the global development forecast for nuclear power for the sixth consecutive year.
According to the IAEA’s dual-scenario projections, global installed nuclear capacity will reach 696 gigawatts (GW) by 2060 under the low-case scenario, representing a rise of more than 80% compared with the 377 GW recorded at the end of 2025.
In the high-case scenario, worldwide nuclear installed capacity is expected to jump to 1,284 GW by mid-century, more than tripling the current installed base.
Industry analysts noted that booming power consumption from emerging sectors has significantly lifted global baseload electricity demand. As countries advance carbon neutrality goals, nuclear power — a reliable large-scale zero-carbon energy source — has gained growing strategic importance in the global energy transition.
Sustained policy support, technological upgrades including small modular reactors (SMRs), and accelerated new reactor construction worldwide have collectively underpinned the IAEA’s continuous upward revisions of long-term nuclear power expectations.
Key challenges including high upfront capital expenditure, financing costs, regulatory approval efficiency, public acceptance, and nuclear fuel supply chain stability will remain critical factors determining whether the high-growth scenario can be fully realized by 2060.