PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1760656
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1760656
A nuclear reactor is a device designed to initiate, regulate, and sustain nuclear fission reactions to generate heat energy. This heat is typically used to produce steam, which drives turbines for electricity generation. Essential components of a nuclear reactor include fuel rods, a moderator, control rods, a coolant, and a containment structure, all working together to ensure efficient energy production while maintaining safety protocols and radiation containment.
Nuclear reactors come in various types, such as pressurized water reactors (PWR), advanced gas-cooled reactors, boiling water reactors (BWR), pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWR), fast neutron reactors (FBR), micro modular reactors, and others. A pressurized water reactor (PWR) operates by using water as both a coolant and a moderator, keeping the water at high pressure to prevent it from boiling despite high temperatures. These reactors utilize both island and auxiliary equipment and serve applications including electricity generation, desalination, medical isotope production, and research and development. The market caters to end users such as utility companies, government and defense agencies, research institutions and universities, and industrial enterprises.
The nuclear reactor market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides nuclear reactor market statistics, including the nuclear reactor industry's global market size, regional shares, competitors with a nuclear reactor market share, detailed nuclear reactor market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the nuclear reactor industry. This nuclear reactor market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.
The nuclear reactor market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $27.98 billion in 2024 to $29.65 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.0%. The growth during the historical period can be credited to factors such as government funding in nuclear energy infrastructure, increasing global energy needs, expanding industrialization in developing nations, a transition from coal to low-emission energy sources, and the role of nuclear power in providing reliable base-load electricity.
The nuclear reactor market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $37.02 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7%. The anticipated growth in the forecast period can be linked to a heightened emphasis on the transition to clean energy, advancements in small modular reactors (SMRs), increasing demand for reliable and scalable electricity, supportive government policies aimed at enhancing energy security, and the phasing out of aging coal-fired power plants. Key trends expected during this period include the rollout of next-generation reactors, the integration of nuclear energy with renewable hybrid grids, growing interest in thorium-fueled reactors, increased investments in micro modular reactors (MMRs), and the adoption of digital technologies and remote monitoring systems in nuclear facilities.
Rising Importance Of Energy Transition Initiatives Fueling The Growth Of The Market Due To Increasing Demand For Low-Carbon And Reliable Energy Solutions
The growing significance of energy transition initiatives is expected to drive the expansion of the nuclear reactor market in the coming years. These initiatives involve strategies and technologies focused on shifting from fossil fuel-based systems to sustainable, low-carbon energy alternatives, with nuclear power playing a vital role. Energy transition efforts are gaining momentum due to their ability to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, thereby mitigating climate change and fostering long-term sustainability. Consequently, nuclear reactors contribute to this transition by delivering dependable, low-carbon electricity that supports cleaner energy infrastructures and bolsters energy security. For example, in August 2024, the World Nuclear Association-a UK-based nuclear energy organization-reported that global nuclear electricity generation increased to 2,602 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2023, up from 2,544 TWh in 2022, reflecting a growth of approximately 2.3%. Thus, the rising importance of energy transition initiatives is fueling the growth of the nuclear reactor market.
Leading companies in the nuclear reactor market are prioritizing the development of small modular reactors (SMRs) to boost scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. SMRs represent a new generation of compact nuclear reactors that offer improved safety, reduced initial capital investment, and more straightforward deployment compared to conventional large-scale reactors. For example, in October 2024, Deep Atomic AG, a nuclear technology firm based in Switzerland, introduced the MK60, a small modular reactor. This reactor utilizes pressurized light water reactor technology and is specifically engineered to supply both electricity and cooling to data centers. It delivers up to 60 megawatts of electrical output and an additional 60 megawatts of cooling capacity, combining established nuclear technology with the operational demands of modern data infrastructure.
In December 2024, Nano Nuclear Energy Inc., a U.S.-based company specializing in advanced nuclear energy and technology, acquired the patented Micro Modular Reactor (MMR) and Pylon space reactors from Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation for $0.0085 billion. This acquisition is intended to accelerate the commercialization of next-generation nuclear technologies and reinforce Nano Nuclear's position in both terrestrial and space-based energy markets. It aligns with the company's strategy to build a portfolio of innovative, scalable, and clean nuclear energy solutions for global deployment. Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation, also based in the U.S., focuses on the development of safe, dependable, and cost-efficient reactor systems.
Major players in the nuclear reactor market are GE Vernova Group, Rosatom Renewable Energy JSC, Toshiba Corporation, Larsen & Toubro Limited, Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc, Shanghai Electric, Dongfang Electric Corp. Ltd., KHNP CO. LTD., Framatome, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), BWX Technologies Inc., Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises Inc., TerraPower LLC., Holtec International, X Energy LLC., Terrestrial Energy, Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction, NuScale Power LLC., Oklo Inc., and AREVA NP.
Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the nuclear reactor market in 2024. Europe is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in nuclear reactor report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.
The countries covered in the nuclear reactor market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The nuclear reactor market consists of sales of medical isotopes, nuclear fuel, and neutron beams. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified.
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values and are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Nuclear Reactor Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses on nuclear reactor market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for nuclear reactor ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward? The nuclear reactor market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the Russia-Ukraine war, rising inflation, higher interest rates, and the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic.