In response to the ever-growing concern of climate crisis, renewable energy sources such as nuclear power plants are witnessing global growth. It continues to be a relevant source of energy for most countries that have already tapped into nuclear energy. Although not renewable, nuclear energy is still recyclable. It also produces zero greenhouse gases, serving as the second-largest source of low-carbon energy in the world, behind hydro-power. Although the concept has been around for decades, nuclear power technology is still developing and evolving.
Work on cleaner nuclear power are being explored, and so are investments in fuel sources around the world. Using from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), this article ranks the top 10 largest nuclear power plants globally. Nuclear power capacity has grown steadily over the past decade, with a 20.3 GWe increase between 2012 and 2023.
1. Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant – Japan
Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant in Niigata Prefecture is back online, making it the first TEPCO reactor restarted since the 2011 Fukushima disaster. Speaking of the restart, Niigata prefacture governor pointed out the significance it holds for the country. Governor Hideyo Hanazumi’s approval was the last remaining bit that Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) was to clear before restarting Kashiwazaki Kariwa nuclear facility in the Niigata region.
Governor Hanazumi mentioned this a day after visiting the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Fukushima Daiichi is also operated by TEPCO and was the site of the 2011 nuclear meltdown. The operator has since been undertaking a decommissioning program at the site. In June 2026, TEPCO started nuclear fuel removal from Fukushima Daiichi’s reactor No. 2. The Japanese electric utility company targets removal of all fuel assemblies at the number 2 reactor in Fukushima Daiichi by fiscal year 2028. The fuel pool has 587 spent fuel assemblies and 28 unused fuel assemblies.
Though the power plant was previously suspended, the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant is the largest in the world. It spans the towns of Kashiwazaki and Kariwa and has a total output of 8.212 million kW. The plant was rendered inactive since 2012 after the Fukushima Daiichi Accident. Opened in 1985 and owned by Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO), it has a net capacity of 7,965 MW, making it the largest nuclear power plant in the world. It totals seven boiling water reactors (BWR) — the first five with 1,067MW net capacity each and the other two with 1,315MW. It is located on a 4.2-square-kilometer site in Niigata Prefecture, Japan.
2. Hanul Nuclear Power Plant – South Korea
The Hanul Nuclear Power Plant, located in Gyeongsangbuk-do province, South Korea, is the largest nuclear plant in the country with an installed capacity of 7,338MW. It was previously known as the Ulchin Nuclear Plant but was renamed Hanul Nuclear Power Plant in 2013. It is the largest South Korean nuclear power plant and the second largest globally.
The plant currently has a net capacity of 7,338MW, made up of six PWR Hanul reactors. Each of these reactors varies from 966MW to 999MW. The Shin Hanul-1 (PWR) which has a net capacity of 1414MW. Shin Hanul-2, a PWR due to having a net capacity of 1340MW was connected to the grid in June 2022. The construction of Shin Hanul-3 and 4 was expected to end in 2024.
3. Bruce Nuclear Generating Station – Canada
Ranking third among the largest nuclear power plants is the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station in Canada. Owned by Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and operated by Bruce Power, the plant has a net capacity of 6,358 MW. It consists of eight pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWR) with net capacities varying from 769MW to 817MW. The plant became fully commercially operational in May 1987. It is located on the eastern shore of Lake Huron in Ontario, Canada. 
4. Yangjiang Nuclear Power Plant – China
The Yangjiang nuclear plant is the fourth largest nuclear plant in the world. It is owned by China Guangdong Nuclear Power Company (CGNPC). The nuclear plant is operated by the Yangjiang Nuclear Power Company. As of 2019, it was the largest nuclear power station in China. The plant replaced fossil energy with nuclear energy, leading to a reduction of coal consumption by 30.9Mg and carbon dioxide emissions by 80.8Mg. Located in the Guangdong province, China, it has a net capacity of 6,000MW from six 1,000MW PWRs.
5. Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant – South Korea
Ranking fifth among the largest nuclear power plants in the world is Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant, a large power station in Jeollanam-do province of South Korea. The nuclear plant is formerly known as the Yeonggwang Nuclear Power Plant. The nuclear power plant has an installed net capacity of 5,924MW. It is the fifth-largest nuclear power plant in the world. The power plant is operated by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP). It consists of six PWR reactor-type units commissioned between 1986 and 2002.
6. Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant – Ukraine
The plant is owned and operated by Energoatom, Ukraine’s National Nuclear Energy Generating Company. The Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant was once responsible for more than one-fifth of the country’s total electricity generation. The plant is the largest power plant in Europe with a net capacity of 5,700MW. The plant is currently experiencing a temporary intermittent shutdowns because of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
7. Gravelines Nuclear Power Plant – France
The Gravelines Nuclear power plant in France is the seventh largest nuclear plant in the world. It has a net production capacity of 5,460MW. The plant is owned and operated by Electricite de France (EDF), and the nuclear power facility is the largest in France. It is located near Calais and uses cooling water from the North Sea. It consists of six nuclear reactors of 900 MW each. In 2017, the plant produced 31.67 TWh of electric energy, 5.9% of French electricity production.
8. Paluel Nuclear Power Plant – France
The Paluel Nuclear plant is also located in France and is the eighth largest in the world. It consists of four PWRs with a net design capacity of 5,320MW. The plant is located 40km away from Dieppe and spread across the waterfront of the English Channel. This facilitates for which allows sustainable cooling from the Channel. The plant is owned and operated by EDF.
8. Cattenom Nuclear Power Plant – France
Also in position eight in the largest nuclear power plant in the world is Cattenom, sharing the spotlight with Paluel. It is also located in France and consists of four PWRs rated at 1,300MW each. Located in Cattenom, France, the plant is owned and operated by the French electric utility company EDF and uses cooling water from the Moselle River.
10. Kori Nuclear Power Plant – South Korea
The Kori nuclear power plant is made up of five reactors, Kori 2, 3, and 4, and Shin Kori 1 and 2 which total a net capacity of 4,655MW. Kori 1 is permanently shut down.
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