Nuclear Power: 2008 World Report - Evaluation

In 2008, 438 nuclear power plants were available for power supply in 31 countries, 1 plant less than in 2007. No unit was commissioned for the first time, 1 nuclear power plant was decommissioned for good in 2008. At a cumulated gross power of 392,597 MWe and a cumulated net power of 372,170 MWe, respectively, worldwide nuclear generating capacity has reached a high level. Nine different reactor lines are operated in commercial plants: PWR, PWR-VVER, BWR, CANDU, D(2)O PWR, GCR, AGR, LWGR, and LMFBR. Light water reactors (PWR and BWR) continue to top the list with 358 plants. By the end of 2008, in 14 countries 43 nuclear power plants with an aggregate gross power of 39,211 MWe and an aggregate net power of 36,953 MWe were under construction. Of these, 37 are light water reactors, 3 are CANDU-type reactors, 2 are fast breeder and 1 D(2)O-PWR. 124 commercial reactors with an aggregate power in excess of 5 MWe have so far been decommissioned in 19 countries. Most of them are prototype plants of low power. About 70% of the nuclear power plants in operation, namely 304 plants, were commissioned in the eighties and nineties. The energy availability and operating availability factors of the nuclear power plants reached good levels: 80.80% for operating availability and 80,00% for energy availability. The four nuclear power plants in Finland continue to be in the lead worldwide with a cumulated average operating capacity factor of 91,60%.