China Approves 10 New Nuclear Reactors to Accelerate Energy Transition
The new reactors support China's ambitious climate targets and advance its nuclear power capabilities.
On May 1, 2025, China announced the approval of 10 new nuclear reactors, marking a significant expansion in its nuclear energy sector.
This decision comes amid a global resurgence in interest towards nuclear power, with China aiming to bolster its commitment to achieving critical climate goals: to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
Out of the new reactors, eight will feature the domestically designed Hualong One technology, a third-generation pressurized water reactor, while the remaining two will utilize the CAP1000 technology, which is derived from the Westinghouse AP1000 design.
As of now, China operates 58 nuclear reactors and is currently constructing 44 additional units.
Once these projects are completed, the total number of nuclear facilities in China will reach 102, positioning the country to surpass all others and become the leading operator of nuclear power reactors globally by 2030, with a combined generating capacity estimated at approximately 113 gigawatts.
According to Liu Jing, deputy director of the China Atomic Energy Authority, China is on track to be the only country in the world with over 100 operational commercial nuclear power units during its upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan period from 2026 to 2030.
In 2024, China's nuclear power output was reported at 450 billion kilowatt-hours, resulting in a reduction of approximately 140 million tonnes of standard coal usage and a decrease of carbon dioxide emissions by 370 million tonnes, as stated by the National Energy Administration (NEA).
The market integration of nuclear power in China has also seen significant progress, with market-based transactions now constituting 46 percent of the total nuclear generation in 2024, up from about 30 percent in 2020, according to recent reports.
Nuclear power is recognized as a central element of China's energy security strategy and is critical for transitioning toward a green, low-carbon energy system.
He Yang, deputy director of the NEA, emphasized the importance of nuclear energy in achieving these objectives.
In addition to expanding its reactor fleet, China is also at the forefront of developing next-generation nuclear technology.
In 2023, it launched the world’s first commercial fourth-generation high-temperature gas-cooled reactor and is advancing the construction of its first land-based small modular reactor, which is set to be completed by 2026.
At a recent nuclear industry expo in Beijing, the first industrial-grade smart operating system for nuclear power plants was introduced.
Developed by China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN), this AI-driven platform is intended to enhance operational efficiency and safety across nuclear facilities.
The system monitors various operational metrics, tracking millions of data streams every second, akin to a digital nervous system for the plant.
The technology employs predictive algorithms that have demonstrated the capability of detecting anomalies in coolant pumps up to 20 days before conventional systems would trigger warnings.
Experts, including Chen Yingjian from the China Nuclear Energy Association, assert that the application of 'intelligent nuclear power' technologies will notably improve safety and reduce maintenance costs in nuclear energy production.
This decision comes amid a global resurgence in interest towards nuclear power, with China aiming to bolster its commitment to achieving critical climate goals: to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
Out of the new reactors, eight will feature the domestically designed Hualong One technology, a third-generation pressurized water reactor, while the remaining two will utilize the CAP1000 technology, which is derived from the Westinghouse AP1000 design.
As of now, China operates 58 nuclear reactors and is currently constructing 44 additional units.
Once these projects are completed, the total number of nuclear facilities in China will reach 102, positioning the country to surpass all others and become the leading operator of nuclear power reactors globally by 2030, with a combined generating capacity estimated at approximately 113 gigawatts.
According to Liu Jing, deputy director of the China Atomic Energy Authority, China is on track to be the only country in the world with over 100 operational commercial nuclear power units during its upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan period from 2026 to 2030.
In 2024, China's nuclear power output was reported at 450 billion kilowatt-hours, resulting in a reduction of approximately 140 million tonnes of standard coal usage and a decrease of carbon dioxide emissions by 370 million tonnes, as stated by the National Energy Administration (NEA).
The market integration of nuclear power in China has also seen significant progress, with market-based transactions now constituting 46 percent of the total nuclear generation in 2024, up from about 30 percent in 2020, according to recent reports.
Nuclear power is recognized as a central element of China's energy security strategy and is critical for transitioning toward a green, low-carbon energy system.
He Yang, deputy director of the NEA, emphasized the importance of nuclear energy in achieving these objectives.
In addition to expanding its reactor fleet, China is also at the forefront of developing next-generation nuclear technology.
In 2023, it launched the world’s first commercial fourth-generation high-temperature gas-cooled reactor and is advancing the construction of its first land-based small modular reactor, which is set to be completed by 2026.
At a recent nuclear industry expo in Beijing, the first industrial-grade smart operating system for nuclear power plants was introduced.
Developed by China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN), this AI-driven platform is intended to enhance operational efficiency and safety across nuclear facilities.
The system monitors various operational metrics, tracking millions of data streams every second, akin to a digital nervous system for the plant.
The technology employs predictive algorithms that have demonstrated the capability of detecting anomalies in coolant pumps up to 20 days before conventional systems would trigger warnings.
Experts, including Chen Yingjian from the China Nuclear Energy Association, assert that the application of 'intelligent nuclear power' technologies will notably improve safety and reduce maintenance costs in nuclear energy production.
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