In their Global Critical Minerals Outlook 2026 report, the International Energy Agency (IEA) says that current annual uranium demand of close to 70 kilotonnes of natural uranium equivalent will increase strongly as global nuclear generation capacity expands.
Still, while requirements for uranium generally increase as more nuclear plants are built, improving fuel utilisation and reactor performance may reduce uranium demand per unit of electricity.
What types of fuel and uranium requirements are associated with which nuclear reactor?
Close to 90% of the world’s nuclear power plants (NPPs) use light water reactors, specifically pressurised water reactors (PWRs) and boiling water reactors (BWRs). These rely on low-enriched uranium (LEU), “typically enriched to 2-5% uranium-235”, states the IEA.
Reactors such as the Russian water-water energetic reactors (VVERs), need specific fuel assembly designs which limits the ability to substitute across suppliers.
Pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWRs)—deployed in Argentina, Canada, India and Romania—accounted for 7% of global market share in 2025. These use specific fuel types containing natural uranium (around 0.7% uranium-235) that do not require enrichment.
New advanced PHWRs—like the ones being built in India—can require slightly enriched uranium of up to 1.1% to achieve improved burnup.
Growing role of Small Modular Reactors
Momentum is building for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) with China now … [please fill in the form to continue reading.]
