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Nuclear reactor build times
How long each reactor took to build — from construction start to first grid connection — based on the Global Nuclear Power Tracker.
Fastest countries (average)
| Country | Avg build time | Sample |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Japan | 4.1 yr | 16 reactors |
| 2. United States of America | 4.8 yr | 31 reactors |
| 3. Italy | 5.2 yr | 4 reactors |
| 4. Ukraine | 5.8 yr | 4 reactors |
| 5. Canada | 6.0 yr | 6 reactors |
| 6. Sweden | 6.0 yr | 4 reactors |
| 7. France | 6.1 yr | 21 reactors |
| 8. South Korea | 6.2 yr | 6 reactors |
| 9. China | 6.4 yr | 15 reactors |
| 10. Germany | 6.4 yr | 20 reactors |
Fastest reactors ever built
| Reactor | Country | Model | Build time | Grid year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marcoule nuclear power plant | France | gas-cooled reactor | 1 yr | 1956 |
| Vallecitos nuclear power plant | United States of America | boiling water reactor | 1 yr | 1957 |
| Big Rock Point nuclear power plant | United States of America | boiling water reactor | 2 yr | 1962 |
| SM-1 nuclear power plant | United States of America | pressurized water reactor | 2 yr | 1957 |
| Hamaoka | Japan | BWR-4 | 3 yr | 1974 |
| Onagawa | Japan | BWR-5 | 3 yr | 1983 |
| Shimane | Japan | BWR-3 | 3 yr | 1973 |
| Tomari | Japan | M (2-loop) | 3 yr | 1988 |
| Tsuruga | Japan | Mitsubishi advanced pressurized water reactor (APWR) | 3 yr | 1969 |
| Kola NPP | Russia | VVER 600 | 3 yr | 1973 |
| Leningrad NPP | Russia | RBMK-1000 | 3 yr | 1973 |
| Obrigheim nuclear power plant | Germany | pressurized water reactor | 3 yr | 1968 |
| Wuergassen nuclear power plant | Germany | boiling water reactor | 3 yr | 1971 |
| Enrico Fermi nuclear power plant | Italy | WH 4LP | 3 yr | 1964 |
| Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant | Japan | BWR-4 | 3 yr | 1970 |
Slowest reactors
| Reactor | Country | Model | Build time | Grid year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bushehr | Iran | VVER V-446 | 36 yr | 2011 |
| Rostov NPP | Russia | VVER V-320 | 20 yr | 2001 |
| Mochovce Nuclear Power Plant Slovakia | Slovakia | VVER V-213 | 15 yr | 1998 |
| Hartlepool | United Kingdom | AP300 | 15 yr | 1983 |
| THTR-300 nuclear power plant | Germany | Pebble bed reactor | 14 yr | 1985 |
| Shoreham nuclear power plant | United States of America | BWR | 14 yr | 1986 |
| Temelín | Czech Republic | VVER V-320 | 13 yr | 2000 |
| N.A.P.S | India | Horizontal Pressure Tube type | 13 yr | 1989 |
| Laguna Verde | Mexico | BWR-5 | 13 yr | 1989 |
| NPP Cernavoda | Romania | CANDU 6 | 13 yr | 1996 |
| Heysham 1 | United Kingdom | AGR | 13 yr | 1983 |
| M.A.P.P. | India | Horizontal Pressure Tube type | 12 yr | 1983 |
| Akademik Lomonosov nuclear power plant | Russia | KLT-40S 'Floating' | 12 yr | 2019 |
| Almirante Álvaro Alberto - Unidade I (Antiga Angra I) | Brazil | PRE KONVOI | 11 yr | 1982 |
| KAIGA | India | Horizontal Pressure Tube type | 11 yr | 2000 |