The Top Nuclear Power States In America
Nuclear power plants generated more than 785 million megawatt-hours of electricity across the United States in 2025, but much of that production is concentrated in a handful of states. According to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration and the Nuclear Energy Generation by State Report, Illinois generates more nuclear power than any other state. In this article, we will examine the top 10 states generating the most nuclear electricity in America, as well as the top five states in which the highest share of energy comes from nuclear power.
Top 10 States Generating the Most Nuclear Power
Based upon data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), these are the top 10 states generating the most nuclear electricity as of July 2026:
1. Illinois - 8,610 thousand MWh
Illinois has the largest commercial nuclear power plant operation in the nation, with six active generating stations, housing 11 operational reactors. All active plants in Illinois are owned and operated by Constellation Energy.
- Braidwood Generating Station in Braceville, Will County
- Byron Generating Station in Byron, Rockvale Township, Ogle County
- Clinton Power Station in Clinton, Harp Township, DeWitt County
- Dresden Generating Station in Morris, Grundy County
- Quad Cities Generating Station in Cordova, Rock Island County
- Lasalle County Station in Marseilles, Brookfield Township, Lasalle County
2. Pennsylvania - 6,678 thousand MWh
There are four active nuclear power plants in Pennsylvania, housing eight operational reactors. Three Mile Island, a fifth plant, is inactive but has been undergoing regulatory procedures to restart one unit under a new name, Crane Clean Energy Center, in Middletown.
- Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station in Delta, York County
- Limerick Clean Energy Station in Limerick Township, Montgomery County
- Beaver Valley Power Station in Shippingport, Beaver County
- Susquehanna Steam Electric Station in Salem Township, Luzerne County
3. South Carolina - 4,939 thousand MWh
South Carolina operates four active commercial nuclear power plants that house seven operational reactors. These generate about half of the state's total electricity.
- Oconee Nuclear Station, Seneca, Oconee County
- Catawba Nuclear Station, York, York County
- H.B. Robinson Nuclear Plant, Hartsville, Darlington County
- Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Generating Station, Jenkinsville, Fairfield County
4. Georgia - 4,651 thousand MWh
There are two active nuclear power plants in Georgia, housing six functioning reactors.
- Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Plant, Baxley, Appling County
- Alvin W. Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, Waynesboro, Burke County
5. Alabama - 4,007 thousand MWh
Alabama operates two active nuclear power plants with five operational reactors.
- Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Athens, Limestone County
- Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant, Columbia, Houston County
6. North Carolina - 3,812 thousand MWh
There are three operational nuclear power plants, with five operational reactors, in North Carolina. All three stations are owned and operated by Duke Energy.
- Brunswick Nuclear Generating Station, Southport, Brunswick County
- McGuire Nuclear Station, Huntersville, Mecklenburg County
- Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant, New Hill, Wake County
7. Texas - 3,686 thousand MWh
Texas operates two active commercial nuclear power plants, with four operational reactors.
- Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant, Glen Rose, Somervell County
- South Texas Project Electric Generating Station, Bay City, Matagorda County
8. Tennessee - 3,395 thousand MWh
There are two active commercial nuclear power plants in Tennessee, both owned by the Tennessee Valley Authority, housing four operational reactors.
- Sequoyah Nuclear Plant, Soddy-Daisy, Hamilton County
- Watts Bar Nuclear Plant, Spring City, Rhea County
9. Arizona - 2,912 thousand MWh
Arizona operates one nuclear power plant that houses three operational reactors. This provides about 27% of the state's total electricity.
- Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, Tonopah, Maricopa County
10. Florida - 2,720 thousand MWh
There are two commercial nuclear power plants in Florida, with four operational reactors. They generate about 13% of the state's total electricity.
- St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant, Jensen Beach, St. Lucie County
- Turkey Point Nuclear Generating Station, Homestead, Miami-Dade County
Top 5 States With the Highest Share of Electricity Generated by Nuclear Power
According to data from the U.S. EIA and World Population Review, these states rely the most heavily on nuclear energy to generate power in the state. Listed is each state and the range of percentage of that state's electricity that comes from nuclear power:
1. New Hampshire - 50.1%
Although New Hampshire has just one active reactor, at Seabrook Station Nuclear Power Plant in Seabrook, Rockingham County, it leads the nation, generating 50.1% of its electricity from nuclear power in July 2026.
2. South Carolina - 47.6%
Nuclear energy is the largest source of electricity generation in South Carolina, accounting for 47.6% of the state's total power in July 2026. Its seven operational reactors are distributed across four nuclear power plants.
3. Illinois - 45.0%
As seen above, Illinois generates the largest sheer volume of nuclear electricity in the nation. Nuclear energy also accounted for 45% of its electricity generation in July 2026.
4. Tennessee - 41.1%
Tennessee generated 41.1% of its electricity from nuclear power in July 2026. The state's four operational reactors are located at Sequoyah Nuclear Plant and Watts Bar Nuclear Plant, both operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority.
5. New Jersey - 40.2%
New Jersey generated 40.2% of its electricity from nuclear power in July 2026. The state has three operational reactors at two nuclear power plants, Salem Nuclear Generating Station and Hope Creek Generating Station, both located in Salem County.
The Future of American Nuclear Power
When we look at how nuclear energy is geographically distributed across the U.S., we can see a divide between production volume and grid reliance. While industrial giants such as Illinois and Pennsylvania generate the largest total megawatt hours to power metropolitan areas, smaller states like New Hampshire show the impact that one single facility can have on a state's localized grid. As the American energy infrastructure transitions towards being less carbon based, these top nuclear-producing states are becoming areas for innovation.
