The footprint of U.S. nuclear power spans much of the country, according to Energy Information Administration data. As of March 2026, the United States operated 96 commercial nuclear reactors at 57 plants across 28 states, with a combined net summer generating capacity of 98,441 megawatts.

That installed base keeps nuclear's contribution steady. The EIA projects nuclear power will hold roughly an 18 percent share of U.S. electricity generation in 2026, in line with 2025 levels. The stability stands out in a generation mix where the shares of coal, gas, and renewables have shifted significantly over the past decade.

The agency's longer-term outlook points to a fleet that holds its capacity but sees its share gradually decline as total generation grows. In its 2026 Annual Energy Outlook baseline, total nuclear net summer capacity remains relatively stable through 2050, while nuclear's share of generation eases from about 17 percent in 2025 toward a range of 12 to 15 percent by 2050 absent significant new build.

Those projections are now in tension with surging electricity demand from data centers and electrification, which has revived interest in adding nuclear capacity through uprates, restarts, and advanced reactors. The current fleet's geographic spread across 28 states and its high reliability make it a foundation that policymakers and utilities are working to expand rather than replace, even as the relative share of nuclear faces pressure from overall demand growth.

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration - https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/nuclear/us-nuclear-industry.php