Uranium Demand
Currently there are some 440 commercial nuclear reactors operating in 31 countries. They currently supply 16% of the World's electricity. Worldwide there are 30 nuclear reactors under construction, 62 planned and 160 proposed, notably from high economic growth countries including China, India and Russia.
Recent percentage fuel usage for electricity generation of each major country (or region) is demonstrated in the graph right. The width of the bar is indicative of power generated (gross production). The graph does not include China, India or Russia, who have all recently indicated specific plans and taken specific actions to expand their respective nuclear energy industries.
As Governments seek a combination of secure, economic and clean energy alternatives that provide consistent base load power, nuclear energy has emerged as an essential component of global energy policy.
As of August 2006, the World's nuclear reactors have a combined capacity of 370 GWe, which require approximately 68,000 tonnes of U3O8 each year from both primary and secondary sources.
