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Nuclear energy: Who, what, where, when, why?
With electricity demand climbing globally, nuclear energy is back in focus. We answer five key questions shaping the conversation.
January 2026
Key takeaways
- Today, commercial nuclear energy — produced within a nuclear reactor — is powered by fission: the splitting of large uranium atoms into smaller ones. Currently, the U.S. dominates nuclear energy production, maintaining the largest plant fleet. However, China is the driver behind new reactor construction, with 15 plants in development.
- According to BofA Global Research, nuclear energy has, in many ways, been recently “rediscovered” amid surging electricity demand. Compared with other energy sources, it offers reliable baseload power, a smaller carbon footprint, and a higher energy return on investment.
- This deep dive into nuclear energy explores the answers to five essential questions: Who produces nuclear energy?; What is nuclear energy?; Where are nuclear power plants sited?; When will nuclear demand take off?; and Why nuclear energy?
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