The United States operates 96 commercial nuclear reactors at 57 nuclear power plants across 28 states, with a combined net summer electricity generation capacity of 98,441 megawatts, according to the US Energy Information Administration. Nuclear power accounts for approximately 18 percent of US electricity generation in 2026, consistent with its 2025 share.

Illinois leads all states in nuclear generating capacity at approximately 11,592 megawatts, followed by Pennsylvania and South Carolina. The US nuclear fleet generates more electricity per installed megawatt of capacity than any other major generation source, with an average capacity factor consistently above 90 percent.

The EIA's Annual Energy Outlook 2026 projects total nuclear net summer electricity generation capacity will remain relatively stable through 2050 in its counterfactual baseline case, at approximately 99,000 megawatts. The share of nuclear in total US electricity generation is modeled to decline modestly from 17 percent in 2025 to between 12 and 15 percent by 2050, reflecting the assumed growth of renewable generation rather than nuclear plant retirements.

Federal policy sets a more aggressive target. Executive orders signed in May 2025 established goals for 400 gigawatts of total nuclear capacity by 2050 and 5 gigawatts of power uprates at existing plants along with 10 large reactors under construction by 2030.

The gap between the EIA baseline projection and the federal target reflects the policy ambition for accelerated nuclear deployment beyond current market trajectory assumptions.

Source: US Energy Information Administration -- https://www.eia.gov/nuclear/generation/