Global Launch The World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2026

Published annually since 2007, the World Nuclear Industry Status Report (WNISR) is the go-to source for reliable, fact-based information on the nuclear industry. It provides a comprehensive overview of nuclear power plant data, including information on operation, production, age, and construction of new reactors. 

In addition, the WNISR2026 assesses Nuclear Power vs. Renewable Energy Deployment. Solar plus storage increasingly emerges as a major game changer. A chapter on Russian Nuclear Interdependencies looks not only into supplies from Russia but also into western industries’ dependence on Russia as a client for their products. 

The state of development—less advanced than generally thought—of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) is subject to a dedicated chapter. Most of the assessed Potential Nuclear Newcomer Countries are in early stages of nuclear program planning. The Fukushima Status Report evaluates persistent onsite and offsite challenges 15 years after the disaster began. The Decommissioning Status Report provides an overview of the current situation of the 224 closed reactors in the world (only 10 have been released as greenfield sites). 

Overall, the industrial reality of the global nuclear sector that sees most of the indicators in decline is very different from public perception. 

We are looking forward to your participation. 

Note: The event will prioritize questions from media representatives; however, a public event with a similar program will also be held in the afternoon 15:00–17:30, at the same location

The full report will be available for free download as of 29 September 2026, at 10:00 Istanbul time here:
www.worldnuclearreport.org/World-Nuclear-Industry-Status-Report-2026

PROGRAM 

MORNING: MEDIA BRIEFING (10:00)

Questions from media representatives will be prioritised.

Registration, welcome coffee/tea

Welcome – Dawid D. Bartelt, Istanbul Office Director, Heinrich Böll Stiftung

Welcome – Barış Eceçelik, Chair of the Board, Ekosfer Association

Commentary – Kono Taro, Member of Parliament, Former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Japan (Zoom)

Global Overview and France Focus – Mycle Schneider, WNISR Coordinator and Publisher

Russia Focus, Ukraine Focus and Eastern Europe – Dmitry Gorchakov, Nuclear Advisor, Bellona Foundation, Vilnius

Russia Nuclear Interdependencies – Sebastian Stier, Physicist, Munich (Zoom)

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) – Stephen Thomas, University of Greenwich (Zoom)

Fukushima Status Report and Japan Focus – Tatsujiro Suzuki, Peace Depot (Zoom)

Decommissioning Status Report and Western Europe – Alexander Wimmers, Berlin University of Technology (Zoom)

Nuclear Power vs. Renewable Energy Deployment / Conclusions – Mycle Schneider

Q&A

To attend in person: hatem@ekosfer.org

Live stream: youtube.com/live/Bw73RGMr6MI

AFTERNOON: PUBLIC EVENT (15:00)

In-person attendance only.

Registration, welcome coffee/tea

Welcome – Tina Blohm, Türkiye Resident Representative, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung

Welcome – Barış Eceçelik, Chair of the Board, Ekosfer Association

Global Overview and France Focus – Mycle Schneider, WNISR Coordinator and Publisher

Russia Focus, Ukraine Focus and Eastern Europe – Dmitry Gorchakov, Nuclear Advisor, Bellona Foundation, Vilnius

Russia Nuclear Interdependencies – Sebastian Stier, Physicist, Munich (Zoom)

United States Focus, AI and Nuclear Power – Timothy Judson, Independent Consultant, Syracuse, US (Zoom)

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) – Stephen Thomas, University of Greenwich (Zoom)

Fukushima Status Report and Japan Focus – Phred Dvorak, Independent Journalist, Washington D.C. (Zoom)

Decommissioning Status Report and Western Europe – Alexander Wimmers, Berlin University of Technology (Zoom)

Nuclear Power vs. Renewable Energy Deployment / Conclusions – Mycle Schneider

Q&A

To register: hatem@ekosfer.org

Bios 

Mycle Schneider WNISR Coordinator and Publisher 

Mycle Schneider is an independent international analyst on energy and nuclear policy based in Paris. He is a founding board member of the International Energy Advisory Council (IEAC) and served as the Coordinator of the Seoul International Energy Advisory Council (SIEAC). He is a member of the International Panel on Fissile Materials (IPFM), based at Princeton University, the International Nuclear Security Forum (INSF), both in the U.S, and the International Nuclear Risk Assessment Group (INRAG), Austria. He provided information and consulting services, amongst others, to the Austrian Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, the Belgian Energy Minister, the French and German Environment Ministries, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the European Commission, and the French Institute for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN). Schneider has given evidence and held briefings at national Parliaments in 16 countries and at the European Parliament. He has advised Members of the European Parliament from four different groups over the past 35+ years and has given lectures at over 20 universities and engineering schools around the globe. Presentations and interviews in English, French, or German. 

Dmitry Gorchakov, WNISR2026 Contributing Author

Dmitry Gorchakov was born in 1983 in Yekaterinburg, Russia. In 2006, he graduated from the Faculty of Physics and Technology at Ural State University (Russia), specializing in “Nuclear Reactors and Power Plants,” and later completed postgraduate studies at the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences in the field of “Environmental Protection.” He conducted research in radioecology at the Russian Academy of Sciences, developed technologies for radioactive waste management and environmental monitoring in private companies, and worked as an independent consultant and analyst in the field of nuclear energy. He has published frequently in Russian media, has given lectures on nuclear energy, and has written for both scientific and popular publications. As a journalist and expert, he has visited dozens of nuclear facilities in Russia and other countries. After condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, he left the country in 2022, relocated to Lithuania, and joined the Norwegian Environmental NGO Bellona Foundation as a nuclear adviser. As part of the nuclear team, he has since co-authored several reports and dozens of publications on nuclear risks related to Russia’s war in Ukraine and the global nuclear industry's dependence on Russian technologies and supplies. Presentations and interviews in English or Russian.