Nuclear generation of electricity will continue to play an important role in our nation’s strategic energy mix. Today, nuclear power accounts for about 20% of the total US electricity generation. Energy Harbor is proud to be one of the largest generators of nuclear power in the US.

 

As we become more dependent on electricity to enable many aspects of our lives, nuclear generation provides a safe, reliable, and affordable source of energy. Nuclear power plants are virtually always producing, providing valuable base-load electricity to our communities. Nuclear power has proven to be a very safe source of energy in the US and around the world. 

Nuclear power plants produced 790 Billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2020.

The United States is the world’s largest producer of nuclear power. It generated 790 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2020—the highest total ever. Commercial nuclear power plants have supplied around 20% of the nation’s electricity each year since 1990.

Nuclear power provides 52% of America's clean energy

Nuclear energy provided 52% of America’s carbon-free electricity in 2020, making it the largest domestic source of clean energy. Nuclear power plants do not emit carbon dioxide by burning fuel, but instead, use steam that is generated by splitting apart uranium atoms inside a nuclear reactor core.

Nuclear energy is the most reliable energy source in America

Nuclear power plants operated at full capacity more than 92% of the time in 2020—making it the most reliable energy source in America. That’s more than two times the capacity factor of any other clean source; two times more reliable than coal; and one and half times that of natural gas. 

Nuclear helps power 28 U.S. states

As of September 2021, 93 commercial reactors continue to help power homes and businesses in 28 U.S. states.

 

Illinois leads the U. S. with nuclear power. It has 11 reactors—the most of any state—and the greatest nuclear-generating capacity at 11.6 gigawatts. It joins South Carolina and New Hampshire in receiving more than 50% of its power from nuclear.