Energy Density
How much energy per kilogram of fuel
Uranium (nuclear)3,900,000 MJ/kg
Hydrogen (HHV)142 MJ/kg
Diesel / jet fuel45 MJ/kg
Coal (bituminous)24–29 MJ/kg
Lithium-ion battery0.9 MJ/kg
Full comparison with charts
Carbon Footprint
Lifecycle g CO₂eq per kWh (IPCC AR6)
Coal (hard coal)820 g CO₂/kWh
Natural gas (CCGT)490 g CO₂/kWh
Solar PV (utility)48 g CO₂/kWh
Nuclear12 g CO₂/kWh
Wind (onshore)11 g CO₂/kWh
Full comparison with all sources
LCOE Cost
$/MWh for new plants (Lazard 2024)
Solar PV (utility)$24 – $96/MWh
Onshore wind$27 – $73/MWh
Natural gas (CCGT)$60 – $100/MWh
Coal (new)$65 – $166/MWh
Nuclear (new)$141 – $221/MWh
Full comparison with limitations
Note on sources: Energy density data from World Nuclear Association and US EIA. Carbon footprint data from IPCC AR6 WG3 Annex II — the authoritative lifecycle emissions compilation. LCOE data from Lazard LCOE Analysis Version 17.0 (2024) — the most widely cited independent cost study. All figures are explained and qualified on each comparison page.
IPCC AR6 WG3Carbon footprint data — lifecycle emissions for all technologiesipcc.ch/ar6/wg3
Lazard LCOE 2024Cost data — new plant LCOE by technologylazard.com/lcoe-2024
World Nuclear Assoc.Energy density — heat values of various fuelsworld-nuclear.org/heat-values