Nuclear power plant

A nuclear power plant (NPP)^[1] is a thermal power station in which the heat source is a nuclear reactor. As is typical of thermal power stations, heat is used to generate steam that drives a steam turbine connected to a generator that produces electricity. As of September 2023^[update], the International Atomic Energy Agency reported there were 410 nuclear power reactors in operation in 32 countries around the world, and 57 nuclear power reactors under construction.^[2][3]

Nuclear plants are very often used for base load since their operations, maintenance, and fuel costs are at the lower end of the spectrum of costs.^[4] However, building a nuclear power plant often spans five to ten years, which can accrue to significant financial costs, depending on how the initial investments are financed.^[5]

Nuclear power plants have a carbon footprint comparable to that of renewable energy such as solar farms and wind farms,^[6][7] and much lower than fossil fuels such as natural gas and coal. Nuclear power plants are among the safest mode of electricity generation,^[8] comparable to solar and wind power plants.^[9]