The US nuclear fleet continues to deliver a large and steady share of the nation's electricity from a relatively small number of plants, according to Nuclear Energy Institute statistics. As of early 2026, the United States operates 94 nuclear generating units housed across 54 power plants, with each plant running one to four reactors.

Capacity and output figures show the fleet's weight in the power system. In 2024, US utilities operated their 94 reactors at a total net generating capacity of nearly 97 gigawatts. That capacity produced roughly 19 percent of US power sector electricity generation, making nuclear the largest source of firm, around-the-clock generation in the country.

Reliability sets nuclear apart from other sources. The US fleet operated at a capacity factor of about 92 percent in 2024, meaning reactors ran near full output almost all year. That high utilization allows the 97 gigawatts of nuclear capacity to generate more electricity annually than much larger nameplate totals from intermittent sources, since those sources produce only when conditions allow.

The numbers explain why utilities are investing to extend and expand the existing fleet. A compact set of high-performing reactors delivers baseload power at a scale that is difficult to replace, and the 92 percent capacity factor underscores the consistency that makes nuclear central to grid planning as electricity demand rises across the country.

Source: Nuclear Energy Institute - https://www.nei.org/resources/statistics/us-nuclear-generating-statistics