Nuclear power provides about 16% of the world’s energy. There are more than 440 plants in 70 countries, with more in different stages of construction or planning. In the United States, nuclear power plants generate 20% of the electricity needed. Nuclear energy enables countries with limited supplies of fossil fuels to produce electricity independent of the world’s fossil-fuel market. Most of France’s electricity comes from nuclear power. Both Japan and France have growing nuclear-power programs.