China Expands Nuclear Energy with Approval of 10 New Units

Key Takeaways

1. China has approved the construction of 10 new nuclear reactors to enhance five existing power plants.
2. The initiative involves an investment of approximately 200 billion yuan ($27.44 billion).
3. China is the third-largest country in nuclear power capacity, aiming to lead globally by 2030.
4. Currently, China is building 30 nuclear reactors, contributing an expected 34.4 gigawatts to the electricity grid.
5. China has achieved full domestic capacity for essential nuclear technology equipment, though it still relies on some Western technology.

China has given the green light for the building of 10 new nuclear reactors, which will enhance five existing nuclear power plants. This follows a pattern seen in the past few years.

Investment and Capacity

As per details shared by The Paper, a state-supported news outlet, the financial backing for this initiative is projected to be 200 billion yuan, which translates to about $27.44 billion. China ranks as the third-largest nation in terms of nuclear power capacity, trailing behind the United States and France. At present, the country operates 58 nuclear facilities that collectively generate 56.9 gigawatts of nuclear power, as stated in a white paper from the China Nuclear Energy Association. By the year 2030, China aims to take the lead in nuclear energy production.

Expansion Plans

The nuclear facilities that will be expanded include:

Right now, China is in the process of constructing 30 nuclear reactors, which represent half of the total reactors being built around the world. These new reactors are anticipated to contribute an additional 34.4 gigawatts of nuclear power to the national electricity grid.

Domestic Production and Technology Dependence

The aforementioned white paper indicates that the nation has reached full domestic capacity in producing essential equipment for nuclear technology, including reactors. Notably, eight of the approved reactors will utilize the domestically developed Hualong One design. However, the World Nuclear Association points out that China still relies on Western technology in certain aspects of this development.

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