Global Nuclear Capacity Poised for 44% Surge by 2036 as China Overtakes US in Great-Power Energy Race

A BloombergNEF report released July 8, 2026, projects global nuclear power capacity reaching 535 GW by 2036, up 44% from 372 GW at end-2025, driven by surging electricity demand from AI data centers, industrial electrification, and decarbonization goals. China is forecast to nearly double its fleet to 102 GW from 59 GW, surpassing the United States as the world's largest nuclear power operator. India is simultaneously scaling up, targeting 100 GW by 2047 at an estimated cost of $204 billion to enhance energy security. The report notes nuclear's post-Fukushima stagnation ending amid renewed policy support and social acceptance, though regulatory delays persist. Corroborating data from the IAEA and World Nuclear Association show China with 36-39 reactors under construction—over half the global total—while the US maintains just one commercial project. This shift intersects energy security strategies, net-zero timelines, and strategic competition, with Beijing pursuing an "all-of-the-above" approach including renewables and coal alongside nuclear expansion. US ambitions to triple capacity by 2050 contrast with slower near-term deployment, highlighting divergences in execution speed between the two powers.