WNISR 2026: Solar generation overtook nuclear worldwide in April 2025
The World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2026, led by Mycle Schneider, finds wind surpassed nuclear in monthly global electricity generation in March 2025, with solar following in April 2025 for the first time. From March 2025 through June 2026, solar or wind individually outproduced nuclear every month, with both doing so simultaneously in several 2026 months. Global solar capacity grew 27% in 2025 to 2,383 GW and wind grew 14% to 1,291 GW, while operating nuclear capacity actually fell slightly to 368.6 GW.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The widening gap suggests renewables are scaling far faster than nuclear, which the report says has been essentially flat for 25 years. Schneider points to struggling nuclear financing, including Holtec's shelved IPO and Fermi's steep stock decline, as evidence investors are skeptical of near-term nuclear growth, though this reflects his interpretation rather than a universal industry consensus. Because WNISR's solar figures appear conservative compared with IEA PVPS data, the real divergence between solar and nuclear capacity could be even larger than reported.
- Solar generation exceeded nuclear globally for the first time in April 2025, per WNISR 2026.
- Solar and wind capacity grew 27% and 14% respectively in 2025, while nuclear capacity barely changed.
- Report author Mycle Schneider cites weak nuclear investor confidence, pointing to Holtec's paused IPO and Fermi's stock drop.
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Published there as: “Solar surpasses nuclear power globally for first time”
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