Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 1.1
Map of nuclear power reactors and commercial nuclear reprocessing facilities operating
in the world by 2012 [
2
] adapted.
Red circle
—Nuclear Power Reactors,
Black square
—Commer-
cial nuclear reprocessing facilities
In April 2013 there were 433 nuclear power reactors with a total power capacity of
about 370 GW(e) operating in the world (Fig.
1.1
). These nuclear power reactors
produced about 16 % of the world's electrical energy consumption. Those countries
having the highest number of nuclear power reactors installed and operating by
2013 are listed in Table
1.1
. However, there were also many countries in Central-
and South-America, in Africa, Asia, Australia and Europe which had not decided
yet to rely on electricity generation by nuclear power reactors. In Western Europe,
e.g. such countries are Portugal, Denmark, Norway, Italy, Austria etc. for different
reasons [
1
].
About 80 % of all operating nuclear power reactors are Light Water Reactors
(LWRs); predominantly Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs) and Boiling Water
Reactors (BWRs). An additional 11 % are Heavy Water Reactors (HWRs) and 4 %
of all nuclear power reactors are advanced gas cooled, graphite moderated nuclear
power reactors (AGRs). Only 11 RBMK-1000 reactors (Chernobyl-type, graphite
moderated light water cooled), i.e. 3.4 % are still operating near St. Petersburg,
Smolensk, and Kursk (Russia). However, this type of nuclear power reactor will be
taken out of operation in the near future [
1
].
One prototype power reactor of the future Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) type was
also operating in Russia and one experimental Fast Breeder operated in Japan.
In addition to these 433 nuclear power reactors presently in operation there
are 103 nuclear power reactors with a power capacity of 103 GW(e) under con-
struction in the USA (10), France (1), Belarus (2), Slovakia (2), Finland (1), Russia
(11), Ukraine (3), Romania (2), India (7), China (42), Taiwan (2), Pakistan (2),
