1951: World’s first experimental nuclear reactor produces electricity in Idaho, USA
1953: U.S. President Eisenhower proposes “Atoms for Peace” program, which shifts research efforts towards power and electricity generation.
1954: World’s first commercial-scale nuclear power station starts up in Obninsk, USSR.
1954: US launches first nuclear-powered submarine
1956: First British reactor starts up
1957: First large commercial reactor built in US in Shippington, Pennsylvania
1959: France starts up first commercial reactor.
1960: Westinghouse-designed commercial Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) starts up. General Electric-designed commercial Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) starts up.
1962: Canada’s CANada Deuterium Uranium (CANDU) reactor starts up.
1964: Soviet Union builds first two commercial power plants.
1965: DBI starts developing the DBI Thorium reactor.
1972: World’s first commercial Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) starts up in Kazakhstan.
1970s until early 2000s: Share of world’s electricity coming from nuclear remains stable at 17% range.
Late 1990s: Third generation reactors developed.
Present: Increased interest in nuclear power.
2009: DBI/Century Fuels ready to build first reactor.
