Atomic map. The largest nuclear power plants on the planet
After the terrible events that occurred in Japan, nuclear power plants began to attract a lot of attention from the world community. Disputes about the safety of nuclear power plants for the environment and human life continue to this day. But such power plants require a meager amount of fuel, which is their undoubted advantage over other types of similar structures.
There are more than 400 nuclear power plants in the world, and those discussed below are the most powerful of them.
For comparison: The capacity of the infamous Chernobyl nuclear power plant was 4,000 MW.
Our rating opens with a station located on the Japanese island of Honshu. After the Fukushima disaster, the Japanese approached the construction of a new nuclear power plant with a high level of professionalism and extreme caution: now only three of the five reactors are in operation. Two reactors were shut down due to technical work to improve the safety system and protection against natural disasters.
9. Balakovo NPP (Russia) – 4000 MW
Balakovskaya is rightfully considered the largest nuclear power plant in Russia and the most powerful power plant of its kind. This is where all nuclear fuel research in our country began. All the latest developments were tested here, and only after that they received permission for further use at other Russian and foreign nuclear power plants. The Balakovo nuclear power plant produces a fifth of all nuclear power plants in Russia.
8. Palo Verde NPP (USA) – 4174 MW
It is the most powerful nuclear power plant in the United States. But today, a capacity of 4174 MW is not the highest figure, so this nuclear power plant occupies only eighth place in our rating. But Palo Verde is unique in its own way: it is the only nuclear power plant in the world that is not located on the shore of a large body of water. The concept behind the reactors is cooling by using wastewater from nearby communities. However, violation of the traditions of designing nuclear power plants by American engineers raises many questions about the safety of such a power plant.
7. Ohi Nuclear Power Plant (Japan) – 4494 MW
Another representative of the Japanese nuclear industry. This nuclear power plant has a reserve of four operating reactors with a total capacity of 4494 MW. Paradoxically, this is the safest nuclear power plant in Japan. In its entire history, Okha has not had a single emergency situation related to security. Interesting fact: after the “freeze” of work at all nuclear power plants and a whole series of technical inspections throughout the country in connection with the Fukushima disaster, the Ohi nuclear power plant was the first to resume operation.
6. NPP Paluel (France) – 5320 MW
Although this “French woman” is located on the shore of a reservoir, like other nuclear power plants, it still has one characteristic feature. Not far from the nuclear power plant is the commune of Paluel (the question of what the station got its name from immediately disappears). The fact is that all the residents of this commune are part-time workers of the nuclear power plant (there are about 1,200 people). A sort of communist approach to the problem of employment.
5. Gravelines NPP (France) – 5460 MW
Gravelines is the most powerful nuclear power plant in France. It is located on the shores of the North Sea, the waters of which are used to cool nuclear reactors. France is actively developing its scientific and technical potential in the nuclear field and has a large number of nuclear power plants on its territory, which together have more than fifty nuclear reactors.
4. Hanul Nuclear Power Plant (South Korea) – 5900 MW
Hanul is not the only nuclear power plant in South Korea with a capacity of 5900 MW: the Korean “arsenal” also has the Hanbit station. The question arises, why exactly Hanul occupies fourth place in our rating? The fact is that in the next 5 years, leading Korean specialists in the field of nuclear energy plan to “accelerate” Hanul to a record 8,700 MW. Perhaps a new leader will soon top our rating.
3. Zaporozhye NPP (Ukraine) – 6000 MW
Having started its work in 1993, Zaporozhye NPP became the most powerful station in the entire former Soviet space. Today it is the third nuclear power plant in the world and the first in Europe in terms of power.
Interesting fact: The Zaporozhye nuclear power plant was built in close proximity to the city of Energodar. With the start of construction, a powerful flow of investment poured into the city, and the region as a whole received an economic boost, which made it possible to develop the social and industrial spheres at a high level.
2. Bruce NPP (Canada) – 6232 MW
Perhaps the most powerful and largest nuclear power plant in size in all of Canada and the entire North American continent. The Bruce Nuclear Power Plant is distinguished by the scale of its area - no less than 932 hectares of land. It has as many as 8 powerful nuclear reactors in its arsenal, which brings “Bruce” to second place in our rating. Until the beginning of the 2000s, not a single nuclear power plant could surpass the Zaporozhye NPP in terms of its performance, but Canadian engineers succeeded. Another feature of the station is its “hedonic” location on the shores of picturesque Lake Huron.
1. Kashiwazaki-Kariwa NPP (Japan) – 8212 MW
Even the 2007 earthquake, after which the power in nuclear reactors had to be reduced, did not prevent this energy giant from maintaining world leadership. The maximum capacity of the nuclear power plant is 8212 MW, now its potential has been realized only at 7965 MW. Today it is the most powerful nuclear power plant in the world.
Despite the ambiguous attitude towards nuclear power plants (which is quite justified by many objective reasons), no one will argue that this is the most environmentally friendly production of all existing ones: there is practically no waste from the activities of nuclear power plants. In turn, responsibility for safety lies on the shoulders of engineers. Literacy in design and construction - and the nuclear industry will have no enemies left.
In the modern world, nuclear energy is extremely important for realizing the economic potential of countries; it is with its help that the 2.6% of all energy consumed by humans. More than 31 countries currently operate 190 nuclear power plants, differing in the type of reactor and its energy power. New power units and nuclear reactors of nuclear power plants are being prepared for startup, as well as dozens of new power plants under construction (for example, the UAE-Braq nuclear power plant). Below are the largest nuclear power plants in operation around the world, whose energy output today is the highest compared to other nuclear power plants.
Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant (8212 MW)
The world's largest nuclear power plant, built in 1985, is located in Japan in the city of Kashiwazaki. The nuclear power plant has 5 BWR type nuclear reactors(boiling water reactor) and 2 ABWR reactors (3rd generation boiling water reactors) with a total capacity of 8212 MW. This is the highest figure in the entire world. It was at this station that ABWR type reactors were first built. The power of this largest station alone is almost twice the total power of all operating nuclear power plants located in the Czech Republic or India, and more than 4 times the power of the nuclear power plant in Hungary, but due to frequent earthquakes, Kashiwazaki-Kariwa periodically suspends its operation for restoration work .
Bruce Nuclear Power Plant in Canada (6232 MW)
The largest plant in all of Canada and North America with 8 CANDU reactors (heavy water pressurized water nuclear reactor produced by Canada) has a total capacity of 6232 MW, which makes it the second largest nuclear power plant in the world after the Japanese Kashiwazaki-Kariwa. This operating nuclear power plant is located in the town of Bruce County in the province of Ontario, operating since 1976. Due to accidents at some reactors, the plant was closed several times, but in the end it always returned to operation.
Zaporozhye NPP (6000 MW)
Zaporozhye NPP, which began operating in December 1984, is located in the city of Energodar in the Zaporozhye region in Ukraine. It is the world's third largest active nuclear power plant today. The power of 6 reactors of the VVER-1000 type (water-cooled power reactor) currently totals 6000 MW. According to the latest data, this is not only the largest nuclear power plant in Ukraine, but also in Europe, and in March of this year the station was recognized as the first nuclear power plant in the world to generate more than 1 trillion kWh of electricity from the first day of operation.
Hanul NPP (called Ulchin until 2013 – 5881 MW)
The operating Hanul Nuclear Power Plant is located in South Korea near the city of Gyeongsangbuk-do. The power of 5,881 MW is generated by 6 power units - 4 operating reactors of the OPR-1000 type and 2 of the CP1 type (both of which are water-cooled PWRs). This is the largest nuclear power plant in the country, which began operation in 1988. The South Korean government decided to increase the power of the station, so in May 2012, construction began on two more power units using APR-1400 type reactors, each with a capacity of 1350 MW. The approximate completion of work is planned for one power unit in 2017, and for the second in 2018.
Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant (previously named Yongwan - 5875 MW)
The Hanbit nuclear power plant, also located in South Korea near the city of Yongwan, in honor of which it received its original name, is currently operating. The Hanbit Nuclear Power Plant is located just 350 km from Seoul, the capital of the country. The renaming in 2013 was due to numerous requests from the population, in particular from fishermen who were not happy that their product was associated with radiation from a nuclear power plant. The station has been operating since 1986, the total power of its two WF-type reactors and four OPR types (pressurized water nuclear reactors PWR) is 5,875 MW, which is only 6 MW less than the Hanul nuclear power plant.
Gravelines Nuclear Power Plant (5706 MW)
The French Gravelines station is the most powerful and largest in the country, sixth in the world and second in Europe in terms of energy produced at 5706 MW by 6 power units with CP1 type reactors (related to PWR). The station is located in the northern part of the country, having started operating its first reactor in 1980. Water for technical needs of all reactors is delivered directly from the North Sea.
Paluel Nuclear Power Plant (5528 MW)
Another nuclear power plant in France with a total capacity of four nuclear reactors with pressurized water of the P4 type is 5528 MW. Paluel is located in Upper Normandy, and water for cooling the reactors is delivered directly from the English Channel. The reactor of this station is considered one of the largest in the world. The first Paluel power unit began operation in 1984. It is the second largest station of the three in France.
Kattenom NPP (5448 MW)
On the border with Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany, a French nuclear power plant began operating in 1986 with four pressurized water nuclear reactors of the P’4 type and a total capacity of 5448 MW. Cattenome is located in the Lorraine region, in northeastern France. To cool the reactors, the station takes water from the Moselle River, as well as from an artificial lake next to the nuclear power plant, specially created for this purpose. The generated power of the station is more than 3.5 times greater than the entire power of nuclear power plants in Argentina and Armenia combined.
Okha Nuclear Power Plant (4494 MW)
After what happened in Japan with the Fukushima-1 and Fukushima-2 plants, all nuclear power plants were closed for inspections and work to improve the technical side, and Ohi was the first nuclear power plant to begin operating again. Four W 4-loop reactors (pressurized water reactors) reach a capacity of 4494 MW. The first reactor of the station began operation back in 1977. The Ohi Nuclear Power Plant, located in Fukui Prefecture, is recognized as the most reliable and compliant with safety regulations in Japan. At the moment, Ohi is the second powerful plant in the country, although until recently Fukushima-1 (4,700 MW) was in second place.
Nuclear energy has long been considered an affordable and reliable source of electricity. Moreover, researchers believe that the world's nuclear energy will continue to develop, and in the future, every person on the planet will live in a country with their own nuclear electricity. That is why it is now becoming the main direction in the development of the world economy.
Today, the attitude towards nuclear power plants in the world is not at all unambiguous. And there are many reasons for this, because if such energy sources break down, literally the entire planet could be in danger. But the world will not be able to turn away from nuclear energy any time soon. The cost of its production is less, there are no harmful emissions, delivery of fuel to the station costs a penny - all the advantages are obvious. All that remains is to sort out safety during design and construction - and the “peaceful atom” will have no enemies left! So, which nuclear power plants are the most powerful and where are they located?
In 2010, the Japanese nuclear power plant reached an installed capacity of 8212 MW. This is the most powerful nuclear power plant in the world. And even after the earthquake in 2007, when emergency situations arose at the station, after all the restoration work (the power had to be reduced), this energy giant remained in first place in the world (today it is 7965 MW). After the Fukushima incident, the plant was shut down to check all systems and then restarted.
The largest nuclear power plant in Canada itself and the entire North American continent is the Bruce Nuclear Power Plant. It was built in 1987 on the shores of picturesque Lake Huron (Ontario). The station is huge in area and occupies more than 932 hectares of land. Its 8 nuclear reactors provide a total power of 6232 MW and bring Canada to second place on our list. It is worth noting that until the early 2000s, the Ukrainian Zaporozhye nuclear power plant was considered the second largest in the world. But the Canadians bypassed Ukraine, managing to “overclock” their reactors to such high levels.
The third in the world and the first in Europe in terms of power is the Zaporozhye NPP. The station became fully operational in 1993, becoming the most powerful in the entire former USSR. The total capacity of the enterprise is 6000 MW. It is located on the shore of the Kakhovka reservoir near the city of Energodar, Zaporozhye region. The nuclear power plant employs 11.5 thousand people. At one time, with the start of construction of this station, the entire region received a powerful economic boost, thanks to which it grew both socially and industrially.
This station is located near the city of Uljin in South Korea and has a capacity of 5900 MW. It is worth saying that the Koreans have another nuclear power plant identical in power - Hanbit, but Hanul is planned to be “overclocked” to a record 8,700 MW. In the next 5 years, Korean engineers promise to finish the work, and then perhaps there will be a new champion on our list. We'll see.
The most powerful station in France is Gravelines. Its total capacity reaches 5460 MW. The nuclear power plant was built on the shores of the North Sea, the waters of which are involved in the cooling process of all 6 of its reactors. France, like no other country in Europe, develops its own technologies and developments in the nuclear field and has on its territory the largest and most powerful nuclear power plants, and these are more than 50 nuclear reactors.
The total capacity of this “French” is 5320 MW. It is also located on the coast, but has one interesting feature: in the immediate vicinity of the nuclear power plant there is the Paluel commune (after which, in fact, the station is named), and so, almost all of the station’s 1,200 employees are residents of this very commune. A truly “Soviet” approach to the problem of employment!
And again Japan. The plant's four nuclear reactors produce 4,494 MW. The station is considered one (if not the most) reliable and does not have a single emergency or safety incident in its “track record”. This issue is more than relevant in Japan after the events in Fukushima. Let's just say that after the operation of all Japanese nuclear power plants was stopped to check the technical condition after the earthquake, it was the Ohi plant that returned to operation first.
The most powerful US nuclear power plant is only in eighth position on our list. The three reactors of this station produce a power of 4174 MW. This is not the highest figure today, but this nuclear power plant is unique in its own way. The fact is that Wintersburg is the only nuclear power plant in the world that is not located on the shore of a large body of water. The technical highlight of this nuclear power plant is that wastewater from nearby settlements (the city of Palo Verde, for example) is used to cool the reactors. One can only be surprised at the determination of American engineers who, contrary to safety traditions, decided to take such a bold step when designing this nuclear power plant.
The most powerful nuclear power plant in Russia was put into operation in 1985. Today its total capacity is 4000 MW. The nuclear power plant is located on the shore of the Saratov reservoir and provides a fifth of the energy production of all nuclear power plants in Russia. The station's staff is 3,770 people. Balakovo NPP is the “pioneer” of all nuclear fuel research in Russia. In general, we can say that all the latest developments were put into operation at this nuclear power plant. And only after passing practical tests here, they received permission for use at other nuclear power plants in Russia and other countries.
The last station on our list is located on the island of Honshu in Japan. The power of this nuclear power plant is 3617 MW. Today, 3 out of 5 reactors are in operation. The remaining 2 have been stopped due to technical work to improve safety and protection from natural disasters. And again, after Fukushima, the Japanese demonstrate high professionalism and organization, in relation not only to themselves, but also to the whole world.
Literally the entire planet could be in danger. But the world will not be able to turn away from nuclear energy any time soon. The cost of its production is lower, there are no harmful emissions, delivery of fuel to the station costs a penny - all the advantages are obvious. All that remains is to sort out safety during design and construction - and the “peaceful atom” will have no enemies left! So, which nuclear power plants are the most powerful and where are they located?
1 NPP Kashiwazaki-Kariwa (Japan) - 8212 MW
In 2010, the Japanese nuclear power plant reached an installed capacity of 8212 MW. This is the most powerful nuclear power plant in the world. And even after the earthquake in 2007, when emergency situations arose at the station, after all the restoration work (the power had to be reduced), this energy giant remained in first place in the world (today it is 7965 MW). After the Fukushima incident, the plant was shut down to check all systems and then restarted.
2 Bruce NPP (Canada) - 6232 MW
The largest nuclear power plant in Canada itself and the entire North American continent is the Bruce Nuclear Power Plant. It was built in 1987 on the shores of picturesque Lake Huron (Ontario). The station is huge in area and occupies more than 932 hectares of land. Its 8 nuclear reactors provide a total power of 6232 MW and bring Canada to second place on our list. It is worth noting that until the early 2000s, the Ukrainian Zaporozhye nuclear power plant was considered the second largest in the world. But the Canadians bypassed Ukraine, managing to “overclock” their reactors to such high levels.
3 Zaporozhye NPP (Ukraine) - 6000 MW
The third in the world and the first in Europe in terms of power is the Zaporozhye NPP. The station became fully operational in 1993, becoming the most powerful in the entire former USSR. The total capacity of the enterprise is 6000 MW. It is located on the shore of the Kakhovka reservoir near the city of Energodar, Zaporozhye region. The nuclear power plant employs 11.5 thousand people. At one time, with the start of construction of this station, the entire region received a powerful economic boost, thanks to which it grew both socially and industrially.
4 Hanul NPP (South Korea) - 5900 MW
This station is located near the city of Uljin in South Korea and has a capacity of 5900 MW. It is worth saying that the Koreans have another nuclear power plant identical in power - Hanbit, but Hanul is planned to be “overclocked” to a record 8,700 MW. In the next 5 years, Korean engineers promise to finish the work, and then perhaps there will be a new champion on our list. We'll see.
The most powerful station in France is Gravelines. Its total capacity reaches 5460 MW. The nuclear power plant was built on the shores of the North Sea, the waters of which are involved in the cooling process of all 6 of its reactors. France, like no other country in Europe, develops its own technologies and developments in the nuclear field and has on its territory the largest and most powerful nuclear power plants, and these are more than 50 nuclear reactors.
6 NPP Paluel (France) - 5320 MW
The total capacity of this “French” is 5320 MW. It is also located on the coast, but has one interesting feature: in the immediate vicinity of the nuclear power plant there is the Paluel commune (after which, in fact, the station is named), and so, almost all of the station’s 1,200 employees are residents of this very commune. A truly “Soviet” approach to the problem of employment!
7 Ohi NPP (Japan) - 4494 MW
And again Japan. The plant's four nuclear reactors produce 4,494 MW. The station is considered one (if not the most) reliable and does not have a single emergency or safety incident in its “track record”. This issue is more than relevant in Japan after the events in Fukushima. Let's just say that after the operation of all Japanese nuclear power plants was stopped to check the technical condition after the earthquake, it was the Ohi plant that returned to operation first.
8 Palo Verde NPP (USA) - 4174 MW
The most powerful US nuclear power plant is only in eighth position on our list. The three reactors of this station produce a power of 4174 MW. This is not the highest figure today, but this nuclear power plant is unique in its own way. The fact is that Wintersburg is the only nuclear power plant in the world that is not located on the shore of a large body of water. The technical highlight of this nuclear power plant is that wastewater from nearby settlements (the city of Palo Verde, for example) is used to cool the reactors. One can only be surprised at the determination of American engineers who, contrary to safety traditions, decided to take such a bold step when designing this nuclear power plant.
9 Balakovo NPP (Russia) - 4000 MW
The most powerful nuclear power plant in Russia was put into operation in 1985. Today its total capacity is 4000 MW. The nuclear power plant is located on the shore of the Saratov reservoir and provides a fifth of the energy production of all nuclear power plants in Russia. The station's staff is 3,770 people. Balakovo NPP is the “pioneer” of all nuclear fuel research in Russia. In general, we can say that all the latest developments were put into operation at this nuclear power plant. And only after passing practical tests here, they received permission for use at other nuclear power plants in Russia and other countries.
10 Hamaoka NPP (Japan) - 3617 MW
The last station on our list is located on the island of Honshu in Japan. The power of this nuclear power plant is 3617 MW. Today, 3 out of 5 reactors are in operation. The remaining 2 have been stopped due to technical work to improve safety and protection from natural disasters. And again, after Fukushima, the Japanese demonstrate high professionalism and organization, in relation not only to themselves, but also to the whole world.
Nuclear energy is one of the most developing areas of industry, which is dictated by the constant increase in electricity consumption. Many countries have their own sources of energy production using “peaceful atoms”.
Map of nuclear power plants in Russia (RF)
Russia is included in this number. The history of Russian nuclear power plants begins back in 1948, when the inventor of the Soviet atomic bomb I.V. Kurchatov initiated the design of the first nuclear power plant on the territory of the then Soviet Union. Nuclear power plants in Russia originate from the construction of the Obninsk Nuclear Power Plant, which became not only the first in Russia, but the first nuclear power plant in the world.
Russia is a unique country that has full-cycle nuclear energy technology, which means all stages, from ore mining to the final production of electricity. At the same time, thanks to its large territories, Russia has a sufficient supply of uranium, both in the form of the earth’s subsoil and in the form of weapons equipment.
Nowadays nuclear power plants in Russia includes 10 operating facilities that provide a capacity of 27 GW (GigaWatt), which is approximately 18% of the country's energy mix. Modern development of technology makes it possible to make nuclear power plants in Russia environmentally friendly, despite the fact that the use of nuclear energy is the most dangerous production from the point of view of industrial safety.
The map of nuclear power plants (NPPs) in Russia includes not only operating plants, but also those under construction, of which there are about 10. At the same time, those under construction include not only full-fledged nuclear power plants, but also promising developments in the form of creating a floating nuclear power plant, which is characterized by mobility.
The list of nuclear power plants in Russia is as follows:
The current state of nuclear energy in Russia allows us to talk about the presence of great potential, which in the foreseeable future can be realized in the creation and design of new types of reactors, allowing the generation of large volumes of energy at lower costs.