If further proof is needed (for those diehard who still believe the far-right SMR dream) #JohnQuiggin has reviewed the nuclear powerplant playing field to deliver his prognosis:
“Looking at the world as a whole, the first half of 2026 has seen
* two (2) new reactors connected to the grid, both in China
* three (3) construction projects reaching first nuclear concrete, all in China
* zero (0) new final investment decisions outside China
* one (1) new/revised export contract, probably just symbolic, between Rosatom and Uzbekistan
Generously assuming a 4:1 capacity ratio, the two new reactors would be equivalent to around 8 GW of firmed solar. That’s what China installs every week or so, and the world as a whole every four or five days.
In summary, nuclear power isn’t a vital source of energy, obstructed by politics. Outside China, it’s a zombie, animated by political imperatives. In China, it’s an afterthought, running far behind solar and wind, as well as (regrettably) new coal and gas, and about level with new hydro.”
Sit tight folks, #Renewables are winning the fight — if not fast enough for comfort — and will continue to do so until we beat the #FossilFuel and #NuclearPowerGeneration industries.
Read more:
https://open.substack.com/pub/johnquigginblog/p/the-state-of-nuclear-power-in-2026