In the past seven years, China has approved the construction of a total of 64 nuclear power plants. On July 31, the State Council held a meeting where it approved plans for eight new nuclear reactors, according to China Energy News on August 3. The approved projects include four separate initiatives: two reactors at the Jinqi Men Nuclear Power Plant in Zhejiang Province by China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), one reactor at the Zhuanghe Nuclear Power Plant in Liaoning Province by CNNC, three reactors at the Taipingling Nuclear Power Plant in Guangdong Province by China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN), and one reactor at the Laiyang Nuclear Power Plant in Shandong Province by State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC).
Among these, the Jinqi Men reactors and the Taipingling reactors will be the first large-scale applications of China's independent technology, the 'Hualong One 2.0 version.' This version features standardized components, design uniformity, and simplified construction processes, resulting in lower construction costs and shorter timelines. The Laiyang reactors will utilize the 'Guohe One' technology, also a third-generation nuclear power technology, similar to Hualong. The Zhuanghe Nuclear Power Plant will adopt the widely used Hualong One technology in China.
Since 2019, China has accelerated its nuclear power construction efforts. According to China Energy News, approvals for six reactors were granted in 2019, four in 2020, five in 2021, ten in 2022, ten in 2023, eleven in 2024, and ten in 2025, culminating in the approval of eight reactors this year. This brings the total number of approved nuclear power plants since 2019 to 64.
As of the end of April this year, there were 62 operational nuclear reactors in China, with 39 more under construction. With the addition of the eight newly approved reactors, the number of reactors with construction permits will rise to 47.
The Chinese government has identified nuclear power as a key energy source to achieve both carbon neutrality and energy security. China aims to expand its operational nuclear capacity to approximately 110 million kilowatts by 2030. If achieved, this would position China as the world's leading nuclear power nation, surpassing the United States.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as of the end of last year, the United States led the world with 94 operational reactors, followed by China with 58, France with 57, Russia with 37, and South Korea with 26. China is expected to increase its number of operational reactors to 70 by the end of this year.
As of the end of last year, China was also the world leader in the number of reactors under construction, with 29, followed by India with eight, Russia with five, and Egypt and Turkey with four each.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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