How Effective & Efficient Is Nuclear Power? Here Are the Facts
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Nuclear power has become one of our largest global contributors to carbon-free electricity. It could play a major role in our transition away from fossil fuels because it has low levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and minimal environmental impact. So, we had to ask: How effective and efficient is nuclear power?
Nuclear power effectively generates nuclear energy with a low carbon footprint, protecting air quality, being energy dense, generating few waste products, and promoting energy independence. Nuclear power is efficient because it is energy dense and has a small land-use carbon footprint.
Keep reading to find out how effective and efficient nuclear power is, what its pros and cons are, how safe or dangerous it is, and how it can mitigate climate change.
The Big Picture of the Effectiveness and Efficiency of Nuclear Power
In general, nuclear power is generated when neutrons either divide or fuse, which releases heat, produces steam, spins a turbine, and drives generators to produce electricity.
The two ways we can generate nuclear power are via nuclear fission (when neutrons divide) or nuclear fusion (when neutrons fuse).
How Is Nuclear Power Defined
Nuclear fission is the generation of energy produced when splitting apart the nucleus of an atom.
“Nuclear fission: a nuclear reaction in which a heavy nucleus splits spontaneously or on impact with another particle, with the release of energy.”
Cambridge Dictionary

Nuclear fusion is the generation of energy produced when lighter atoms are combined or fused to create larger and heavier atoms.
“Nuclear fusion: the process of joining two nuclei to produce energy.”
Cambridge Dictionary

All operating nuclear power plants today utilize the process of nuclear fission, whereas nuclear fusion is still very much in the research and development phase and does not currently supply energy to our power grid.
In the table below:
- When we refer to nuclear power: we refer to what both nuclear fission and fusion have in common
- When we refer to nuclear fission: we refer to just the splitting of atomic nuclei
- When we refer to nuclear fusion:we refer to just the joining of atomic nuclei
How Does Nuclear Power Work | Nuclear power is the generation of energy produced when either splitting apart or joining together atomic nuclei. |
How Effective Is Nuclear Power | Nuclear power effectively generates nuclear energy Nuclear power has a low carbon footprint Nuclear power protects air quality Nuclear power is energy dense Nuclear power generates few waste products Nuclear power promotes energy independence and security Nuclear fission is a nonrenewable energy source Nuclear fusion cannot cause a nuclear accident or be used to produce nuclear weaponsNuclear fusion is still in the research and development phase |
How Efficient Is Nuclear Power | Nuclear power efficiently generates nuclear energy Nuclear power has a small land footprint Nuclear fusion reactions are difficult to start and maintain |
Here’s How Effective and Efficient Nuclear Power Are
In terms of effectiveness, nuclear power effectively generates nuclear energy by having a low carbon footprint, protecting air quality, being energy dense, generating few waste products, and promoting energy independence and security.
In terms of efficiency, nuclear power uses energy-dense input materials to efficiently generate nuclear energy and has a small land-use carbon footprint when compared to other energy types.
How Effective Is Nuclear Power
Effectiveness involves completing a task with a desired outcome, typically a successful one.
“Effective: producing the result that is wanted or intended; producing a successful result”
Oxford Dictionary
Nuclear power effectively generates nuclear energy by having a low carbon footprint, protecting air quality, being energy dense, generating few waste products, and promoting energy independence and security.
Nuclear Power Effectively Generates Nuclear Energy
Nuclear power is an effective way to harness the vast amount of energy stored inside atomic nuclei and turn it into energy, as evidenced by the increase in installed capacity and electricity generation over the years.
All operating nuclear power plants today utilize the process of nuclear fission. Because of this, nuclear fission is commonly referred to as ‘nuclear power’ in the data and literature.
Nuclear power accounted for roughly 10% of global electricity generation in 2023, generating approximately 2,600 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity from approximately 413 GW of installed capacity.

Nuclear fusion is also an effective way to generate nuclear power because it uses readily available and extremely energy-dense input materials.
The fusion reaction is most readily feasible between deuterium and tritium, two isotopes of hydrogen. Deuterium is naturally abundant in seawater, and tritium can be bred from lithium, which is naturally abundant in the Earth’s crust and in seawater
In addition to being readily available, you don’t need a lot of deuterium or tritium to produce a fusion reaction. In theory, it is possible to produce one terajoule of energy with just a few grams each of deuterium and tritium. This would be enough to meet the needs of an adult person living in the developed world for 60 years.
Nuclear Power Has a Low Carbon Footprint
Nuclear power has one of the lowest carbon footprints out of all energy types.
The carbon footprint is one of the ways we measure the effects of human-induced global climate change. It primarily focuses on the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with consumption and includes other emissions such as methane (CH4), nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
“Carbon footprint: the amount of greenhouse gasses and specifically carbon dioxide emitted by something (such as a person’s activities or a product’s manufacture and transport) during a given period”
Merriam Webster
All operating nuclear power plants today utilize the process of nuclear fission. Because of this, nuclear fission is commonly referred to as ‘nuclear power’ in the data and literature.
On a life-cycle basis, nuclear power emits 12 grams of CO2 equivalent per kWh of electricity produced, the second lowest out of all fuel types.
Have a look at the illustration below to see the average life-cycle CO2 equivalent emissions of different energy sources and how they compare to nuclear power.

Nuclear fusion also produces little to no greenhouse gas emissions and toxic byproducts, making it one of our most environmentally friendly energy sources. One study on tokamak fusion power plants found that they emit less CO2 than photovoltaic solar systems and less than double those from nuclear fission reactors.
There are currently more than 10 stellarators and 50 tokamaks in operation worldwide, but there are currently no operating fusion reactors providing energy to our power grid. The focus remains on overcoming the two main challenges to nuclear fusion: keeping the reaction going and generating more energy from the reaction than was required to start the reaction.
Overall, nuclear power has one of the lowest carbon footprints out of all energy types, making it one of our cleanest sources of energy.
Nuclear Power Protects Air Quality
Nuclear power produces a fraction of the pollution and toxic chemicals that fossil fuels produce, helping to protect air quality.
Air pollution can cause numerous health problems including asthma, breathing difficulties, brain damage, heart problems, and cancer. Fossil fuel (coal and natural gas) combustion emits coal ash residue, toxic heavy metals, CO2, carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere, impairing public health.
In terms of nuclear fission, every 1-inch pellet of nuclear fuel directly avoids the emission of over 2 tons of CO2 from our atmosphere. This is because each pellet contains the energy equivalent of 1 ton of coal, which creates 2.086 tons (4,172 lbs) of CO2 when it is burned.
Nuclear fusion also produces little to no greenhouse gas emissions and toxic byproducts, making it one of our most environmentally friendly energy sources in terms of air quality.
In short, nuclear power is a clean burning source of energy that produces minimal greenhouse gasses and emits no CO, SO2, or NOx, thereby helping to protect air quality.
Nuclear Power Is Energy Dense
Nuclear fuel is extremely energy dense, so you don’t need a lot of it to create a lot of energy.
For nuclear fission, it would only take ten, U-235 pellets to power the average household for a year.
A single, 1-inch tall Uranium-235 pellet contains the energy equivalent of:
- 1 ton of coal
- 120 gallons of oil
- 17,000 cubic feet of natural gas
For nuclear fusion, it is theoretically possible to produce one terajoule of energy with just a few grams each of deuterium and tritium. This would be enough to meet the needs of an adult person living in the developed world for 60 years.
Estimates also suggest that nuclear fusion could generate:
- Up to 4 times more energy per kilogram of fuel than nuclear fission and
- Nearly 4 million times more energy than burning oil or coal
Because it is so energy dense, nuclear power is also incredibly energy-efficient. And energy efficiency is beneficial because it conserves resources, saves money, and increases the reliability of our energy grid as a whole.
Nuclear Power Generates Few Waste Products
Nuclear power produces substantially less waste than other forms of energy.
Just as with any energy source, nuclear power generates some waste products. But the amount generated is substantially less than other forms of energy.
In terms of nuclear fission, a reactor supplying a person’s energy needs for an entire year produces only a brick-sized amount of nuclear waste. And only 5 grams of that, equivalent to the weight of a sheet of paper, is considered to be a high-level, radioactive waste.
In comparison, the average coal-fired power plant produces roughly 300,000 tons of coal ash and more than 6 million tons of CO2 every year. In the US alone, you could fit all of its used nuclear fuel over the past 60 years into a single football field at a depth of less than 10 yards (30 feet).
In terms of nuclear fusion, it does not produce CO2 or long-lived nuclear wastes. The only byproducts are helium (an inert gas) and tritium. Although tritium is radioactive, it is produced and consumed within the plant in a closed circuit and is used in low amounts.
Nuclear Power Promotes Energy Independence and Energy Security
Nuclear power can help us transition away from fossil fuels and toward an energy-independent future.
Being able to produce your own electricity without the aid of foreign countries is an important step in becoming more self-sufficient. For example, in the US, Former President George W. Bush signed the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to reduce US dependence on oil, expand the production of renewable energy, and confront global climate change.
Although nuclear power alone cannot shoulder the burden of the world’s electricity needs, it can shoulder a substantial amount. Nuclear power accounted for roughly 10% of global electricity generation in 2023, generating approximately 2,600 TWh of electricity from approximately 413 GW of installed capacity.
And if we can overcome previously unresolved engineering challenges, nuclear fusion offers the prospect of an inexhaustible energy source for future generations. In theory, it is possible to produce one terajoule of energy with just a few grams each of deuterium and tritium.
Nuclear Fission Is a Nonrenewable Energy Source
Nuclear fission is a nonrenewable energy source that will eventually be depleted.
Nonrenewable energy sources are those that will run out in our lifetime or will not be replenished in many, many lifetimes.
“Nonrenewables: existing in limited quantities that cannot be replaced after they have all been used”
Cambridge Dictionary
Nuclear fission is classified as nonrenewable energy because nuclear fuel (Uranium) is a finite material that can only be found in certain locations in the Earth’s crust.
Nuclear power plants use the second most common isotope of Uranium (U-235) which has a relative abundance of only 0.7%. And most of the original U-235 on earth has already decayed because it has a half-life of about 700 million years.
Although nuclear power plants use only tiny amounts of Uranium in the fission process and can be used as a reliable energy source for decades to come, we will still run out at some point. And once we run out of Uranium-235, we won’t be able to generate the nuclear fission reaction anymore.
This does not apply to nuclear fusion because fusion is considered to be renewable. Its input materials, deuterium and tritium, are virtually inexhaustible. Deuterium is found abundantly in water, and tritium can be synthetically produced by exposing lithium, a very common element, to high-energy neutrons.
Nuclear Fusion Cannot Cause a Nuclear Accident or Be Used to Produce Nuclear Weapons
Nuclear fusion reactions are not based on chain reactions and therefore cannot cause a nuclear accident.
- There is only enough fuel present in the reactor to sustain the reaction for a few seconds at any given time, so a chain reaction has no time to form.
- Plasma must be kept at very high temperatures and pressures, with the support of external heating systems and magnetic fields. If there is a loss of pressure or temperature, the plasma cools and the fusion reactor shuts down, preventing a chain reaction from occurring and producing no adverse effects on the outside world.
Nuclear fusion also cannot be used to produce nuclear weapons.
- Unlike nuclear fission, nuclear fusion does not use fissile material (e.g., uranium and plutonium) in its reactor. Hydrogen bombs do use fusion reactions; however, they require an additional nuclear fission bomb to detonate. Therefore on its own, nuclear fusion cannot solely be used to produce nuclear weapons.
- There is also never enough fusion fuel lying around to produce the instantaneous power required in a nuclear weapon because nuclear fusion fuel is continuously injected and consumed inside fusion reactors.
This does not apply to nuclear fission because fission reactions use fissile material and are based on chain reactions, which can be used to produce nuclear weapons and lead to the uncontrolled release of radioactive materials
Nuclear Fusion Is Still in the Research and Development Phase
Nuclear fusion is still very much in the research and development phase because the fusion process is difficult to start, maintain, and control.
Nuclear fusion is still very much in the research and development phase because the fusion process is difficult to start, maintain, and control within a laboratory setting.
In terms of installed capacity, there are currently more than 10 stellarators and 50 tokamaks in operation worldwide, but there are currently no operating reactors that provide energy to our power grid.
Most experts agree that we are unlikely to achieve large-scale nuclear fusion energy generation before 2050. This means that fusion is not an option for meeting the short-term climate goals laid out in The Paris Climate Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius (C).
In order to achieve commercial energy generation, we must overcome the two main challenges to nuclear fusion: maintaining the reaction and generating more energy from the reaction than was required to start the reaction. This will require more research and development.
This does not apply to nuclear fission because fission is a well-established energy source in our energy mix. In 2023 it accounted for roughly 10% of global electricity generation, and it is currently our second-largest source of low-carbon energy.
How Efficient Is Nuclear Power
Efficiency involves performing a task while using the least amount of resources and producing the least amount of waste as possible.
“Efficient: working in a way that does not waste a resource (= something valuable such as fuel, water, or money)”
Cambridge Dictionary
Nuclear power uses energy-dense input materials to efficiently generate nuclear energy and has a small land-use carbon footprint when compared to other energy types.
Nuclear Power Efficiently Generates Nuclear Energy
Nuclear power is efficient because it is extremely energy dense, which increases its energy efficiency.
Nuclear fuel is extremely energy dense, so you don’t need a lot of it to create a lot of energy.
For nuclear fission, it would only take ten, U-235 pellets to power the average household for a year.
A single, 1-inch tall Uranium-235 pellet contains the energy equivalent of:
- 1 ton of coal
- 120 gallons of oil
- 17,000 cubic feet of natural gas
For nuclear fusion, deuterium and tritium are extremely energy dense and more sustainable than other energy sources, such as fossil fuels.
More specifically, nuclear fusion can generate:
- 4 times more energy per kilogram of fuel than nuclear fission
- 10 million times more energy than coal
- 6 million times more energy than natural gas
Because it is so energy dense, nuclear power is also incredibly energy-efficient. And energy efficiency is beneficial because it conserves resources, saves money, and increases the reliability of our energy grid as a whole.
Nuclear Power Has a Small Land Use Carbon Footprint
Nuclear power produces more power on less land than any other energy source.
Nuclear power produces more electricity on less land than any other clean-air source. A standard, 1,000-megawatt facility requires only a little more than 1 square mile to operate, a number that is 360 and 75 times less than what is required for wind farms and solar power plants, respectively.
Overall, nuclear power uses only 0.3 square meters of land per megawatt-hour of electricity produced, the lowest out of all energy types.

To put it into perspective, it would take more than 3 million solar panels, or 430 wind turbines, to produce the same amount of power as a typical nuclear power commercial reactor.
Nuclear Fusion Reactions Are Difficult to Start and Maintain
Nuclear fusion experiments themselves are relatively easy to achieve; however, the reaction typically only lasts a fraction of a second. The main challenge with nuclear fusion comes with sustaining fusion reactions for prolonged periods of time. To keep a nuclear fusion reaction going, hydrogen isotopes must be confined and maintained at extremely high pressures and temperatures that are several times hotter than the sun.
In 2021, JET held a nuclear fusion reaction for 5 seconds to produce 59 megajoules (MJ) of energy, almost double that of the previous record. However, scientists had to put 3x as much energy into the system as was created by the reaction.
In December 2022, The National Ignition Facility at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California (US) created a fusion reaction that produced more energy than was needed to spark the reaction. The machine’s laser fired 2 megajoules onto a target and produced 3 megajoules of energy. This demonstrated the viability of nuclear fusion energy for the first time ever.
This does not apply to nuclear fission because fission requires less pressure and lower temperatures to start and maintain the reaction, making it easier to achieve.
What Are The 7 Pros and 4 Cons of Nuclear Power
Nuclear power has a low carbon footprint, protects air quality, is extremely energy dense, generates few waste products, and promotes energy independence and energy security. In addition, nuclear fusion cannot cause a nuclear accident or be used to produce nuclear weapons.
Nuclear power generates nuclear waste with varying radioactivity. In addition, nuclear fission is a nonrenewable resource and nuclear fusion is still in the research and development phase because the fusion reaction is very difficult to start and maintain.
What Are the 7 Pros of Nuclear Power
Nuclear power has a low carbon footprint, protects air quality, is extremely energy dense, generates few waste products, and promotes energy independence and energy security. In addition, nuclear fusion cannot cause a nuclear accident or be used to produce nuclear weapons.
7 Pros of Nuclear Power | Quick Facts |
#1: Nuclear power has a low carbon footprint | On a life-cycle basis, nuclear power emits 12 grams of CO2 equivalent per kWh of electricity produced, the second lowest out of all fuel types. |
#2: Nuclear power protects air quality | Nuclear power is a clean burning source of energy that produces minimal greenhouse gasses and emits no CO, SO2, or NOx, thereby helping to protect air quality. |
#3: Nuclear power is energy dense | Nuclear fuel (uranium, deuterium, and tritium) are all extremely energy dense, meaning you don’t need a lot of it to create a lot of energy. |
#4: Nuclear power generates few waste products | Nuclear power produces substantially less waste than other forms of energy and only a small amount of high-level, radioactive waste. |
#5: Nuclear power promotes energy independence and energy security | Nuclear power can help us transition away from fossil fuels and towards an energy-independent future. |
#6: Nuclear fusion cannot cause a nuclear accident | Nuclear fusion reactions cannot cause a nuclear accident because they are not based on chain reactions. |
#7: Nuclear fusion cannot be used to produce nuclear weapons | Nuclear fusion cannot be used to produce nuclear weapons because it does not use fissile material and uses only a small amount of fuel. |
What Are the 4 Cons of Nuclear Power
Nuclear power generates nuclear waste with varying radioactivity. In addition, nuclear fission is a nonrenewable resource and nuclear fusion is still in the research and development phase because the fusion reaction is very difficult to start and maintain.
4 Cons of Nuclear Power | Quick Facts |
#1: Nuclear power generates nuclear waste | Nuclear power produces nuclear waste that is radioactive and can remain hazardous for many years, depending on the type. |
#2: Nuclear fission is a nonrenewable energy source | Nuclear fission is classified as nonrenewable energy because nuclear fuel (Uranium) is a finite material that can only be found in certain locations in the Earth’s crust. |
#3: Nuclear fusion is still in the research and development phase | Nuclear fusion is still very much in the research and development phase because the fusion process is difficult to start, maintain, and control. |
#4: Nuclear fusion reactions are difficult to start and maintain | The two main challenges to nuclear fusion are maintaining the reaction and generating more energy from the reaction than was required to start the reaction. |
How Can Nuclear Power Help Mitigate Climate Change
Climate change is a severe, long-term consequence of fossil fuel combustion. If left untreated, atmospheric CO2 can remain there for tens of thousands of years and exacerbate the negative effects of climate change. Nuclear power emits less CO2 upon operation than fossil fuels and can therefore reduce our total emissions.
How Is Climate Change Defined
Climate change is arguably the most severe, long-term global impact of CO2. Every year, we emit approximately 37 billion tons of CO2. The carbon found in fossil fuels reacts with oxygen in the air to produce CO2.
“Climate change: changes in the earth’s weather, including changes in temperature, wind patterns, and rainfall, especially the increase in the temperature of the earth’s atmosphere that is caused by the increase of particular gasses, especially carbon dioxide.”
Oxford Dictionary
When carbon enters the atmosphere, it absorbs sunlight and solar radiation, trapping the heat and acting as an insulator for the planet.
Since the Industrial Revolution, Earth’s temperature has risen a little more than 1 degree Celsius (°C), or 2 degrees Fahrenheit (°F). Between 1880-1980 the global temperature rose by 0.07°C every 10 years. This rate has more than doubled since 1981, with a current global annual temperature rise of 0.2°C, or 0.36°F, for every decade.
How Does Nuclear Power Specifically Help Mitigate Climate Change
The global average concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere today registers at 419 parts per million (ppm), the highest ever recorded. Nuclear power can help lower this concentration because it can replace some of the burning of fossil fuels (e.g., coal, oil, natural gas) with a cleaner form of renewable energy.
Nuclear power helps to avoid 1.5 gigatons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per year and 180 billion cubic meters of global gas demand per year. In the past 50 years, nuclear power has helped avoid over 70 gigatons of GHG emissions.
Increasing nuclear power energy usage can reduce CO2 emissions, and the more we reduce CO2 emissions, the more we combat the negative effects associated with climate change including temperature rise, sea-level rise, ice melting, and ocean acidification. When these rates are slowed, the earth’s biodiversity does not have to struggle to adapt to temperature and pH changes. People will not be displaced due to the flooding of coastal areas. And icebergs will continue to provide climate regulation.
How Safe or Dangerous Is Nuclear Power
Overall, nuclear power is considered to be minimally dangerous. Holistically and throughout its life cycle, nuclear power is safe and beneficial for human and animal health, the environment, and the energy grid. It is also significantly safer than fossil fuels and some other types of renewable energy.
Here’s How Safe Nuclear Power Is
Overall, nuclear power is a safe form of energy regarding human and animal health, the environment, the energy grid, and throughout all stages of its life cycle.
How Safe Is Nuclear Power at a Holistic Level | Human and Animal Health: Nuclear power is considered safe when it comes to human and animal health due to the rarity of nuclear accidents. Environment: Nuclear power emits minimal greenhouse gas emissions and has a minimal effect on the environment, provided that proper siting of nuclear facilities and disposal of nuclear waste occurs. Energy Grid and Infrastructure: Nuclear power is not only safe, but it is also a beneficial addition to our energy grid and supporting infrastructure. |
How Safe Is Nuclear Power Across Its Life-Cycle | Building: Safe work practices and proper training can mitigate the risks associated with the building stage of nuclear power. Operating and Maintaining: Nuclear power is generally considered safe to operate and maintain, if proper precautionary measures are followed. Building Back: This final stage is considered to be safe overall, with the hazard of handling, containing, and disposing of spent nuclear materials able to be mitigated with proper procedures and safe work practices. |
How Safe Is Nuclear Power In Comparison to Other Types of Energy | Nuclear power is one of our safest forms of energy that has one of the lowest death rates from accidents and air pollution per unit of electricity generation. |
Here’s How Dangerous Nuclear Power Is
Overall, nuclear power is considered minimally dangerous in terms of human and animal health, the environment, the energy grid, and through all stages of its life cycle.
How Dangerous Is Nuclear Power at a Holistic Level | Human and Animal Health: Nuclear power can be dangerous to human and animal health if proper measures are not in place. Environment: Nuclear power is minimally dangerous to the environment, provided that proper siting of nuclear facilities and disposal of nuclear waste occurs. Energy Grid and Infrastructure: Nuclear power is not considered to be dangerous to our energy grid and supporting infrastructure. |
How Dangerous Is Nuclear Power Across Its Life-Cycle | Building: Nuclear power plant construction and uranium mining come with the danger of radiation exposure. Operating and Maintaining: Nuclear power is considered minimally dangerous to operate and maintain if proper precautionary measures are followed. Building Back: Decommissioning nuclear power facilities comes with risks involving direct contact with spent nuclear fuel and radioactive plasma vessel walls. |
How Dangerous Is Nuclear Power in Comparison to Other Types of Energy | Nuclear power is one of our safest forms of energy that has one of the lowest death rates from accidents and air pollution per unit of electricity generation. |
Final Thoughts
Nuclear power is effective because it has a low carbon footprint, protects air quality, and promotes energy security and independence. It has grown to make up 10% of our total global electricity generation, making it an effective clean energy technology.
Nuclear power is efficient because it is extremely energy-dense and has a small land-use carbon footprint. A single Uranium-235 pellet contains the energy equivalent of 1 ton of coal, and it is possible to produce one terajoule of energy with just a few grams each of deuterium and tritium.
Beginning to reverse the climate crisis means we have to cut CO2 emissions now, and nuclear fission can help us do that. Nuclear power has the second-lowest carbon footprint out of all energy types and emits a fraction of the CO2 and air toxics that fossil fuels emit.
Although its future remains uncertain due to negative public opinion, incorporating more nuclear power-generated energy into our power grid has many benefits.
Stay impactful,

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