A total of 441 nuclear power plants were operating around the world at the end of 2002, according to data reported to the IAEA's Power Reactor Information System(PRIS). World nuclear electricity generation was about 2574 TWh. Also during 2002, six nuclear power plants representing 5013 MW(e)were connected to the grid, four in China, one in the Czech Republic and one in the Republic of Korea.
In addition, construction of seven new nuclear reactors commenced in 2002 - six in India and one in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, bringing the total number of nuclear reactors reported as being under construction to 32.
Four nuclear reactors were shut down in 2002, two in Bulgaria and two in the United Kingdom.
The ten countries with the highest reliance on nuclear power in 2002 were: Lithuania, 80.1 per cent; France, 78 per cent; Slovakia, 65.4 per cent; Belgium 57.3 per cent; Bulgaria, 47.3 per cent; Ukraine, 45.7 per cent; Sweden, 45.7 per cent; Slovenia, 40.7 per cent; Armenia, 40.5 per cent; Switzerland 39.5 per cent.
During 2002, six new nuclear power plants were connected to the electricity grid: Qinshan 2-1, a 610 MW(e) pressurized water reactor (PWR) in China; Qinshan 3-1, a 655 MW(e) pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR) in China; Lingao 1, a 938 MW(e) PWR in China; Lingao 2, a 938 MW(e) PWR in China; Temelin 2, a 912 MW(e) water-cooled and water- moderated reactor (WWER) in Czech Republic; Yonggwang 6, a 950 MW(e) PWR in Republic of Korea.
Also, in 2002 construction started on seven plants: Kaiga 3, a 202 MW(e) PHWR in India; Kaiga 4, a 202 MW(e) PHWR in India; Rajasthan 5, a 202 MW(e) PHWR in India; Rajasthan 6, a 202 MW(e) PHWR in India Kudankulam 1, a 905 MW(e) WWER in India; Kudankulam 2, a 905 MW(e) WWER in India; LWR - Project Unit 1, a 1040 MW(e) PWR in Dem. P. R. Korea.