Data | China's overall nuclear power scale jumps to the world's top for the first time

The Blue Book of China's Nuclear Energy Development Report 2025, released by the China Nuclear Energy Industry Association on the 27th, shows that as of now, China has 102 nuclear power units in operation, under construction, and approved for construction, with an installed capacity of 113 million kilowatts, and the overall scale of nuclear power has jumped to the world's first place for the first time.

Currently, China is deeply implementing the new energy security strategy. Nuclear energy, as a clean energy source, has become an important component of the energy system and an important support for the low-carbon transformation of energy.

At present, there are a total of 28 nuclear power units under construction in China, with a total installed capacity of 33.65 million kilowatts. The installed capacity of the under construction units has remained the world's largest for 18 consecutive years. Cao Shudong, Executive Vice Chairman of the China Nuclear Energy Industry Association, introduced that last year, China approved 5 nuclear power projects, totaling 11 units, and has approved 10 or more nuclear power units for three consecutive years.

Not only does the scale continue to expand, but the independent innovation capability of China's nuclear power technology has also significantly enhanced. Last year, we achieved 100% localization of key nuclear power equipment and independent control of key component technology. Yang Changli, the rotating chairman of the China Nuclear Energy Industry Association, introduced that China has formed independent brands of third-generation pressurized water reactors such as "Hualong One" and "Guohe One", and developed advanced nuclear power technologies such as high-temperature gas cooled reactors, sodium cooled fast reactors, and small modular reactors with fourth generation characteristics.

The steady growth of the nuclear power industry is inseparable from the continuous consolidation and improvement of the industrial and supply chains. After 40 years of exploration and practice, China has become one of the few countries in the world with a complete nuclear power industry system, accumulating rich experience and capabilities in engineering design, construction, equipment manufacturing, and other areas. Actively utilizing digital and intelligent means, applying advanced construction technologies on a large scale, and maintaining international advanced levels in nuclear power engineering safety, quality, progress, and cost control. Equipment manufacturing enterprises continuously improve product quality and production efficiency through technological and management innovation, master the core technology of key nuclear power main equipment and key components, and build a well structured and high-quality talent team in the nuclear energy industry chain, forming an annual production capacity of more than 10 complete sets of nuclear power equipment.

The State Council executive meeting held on the 27th decided to approve nuclear power projects such as the Zhejiang Sanmen Phase III project. Driven by the 'dual carbon' goal, the green and low-carbon transformation of energy continues to advance, and China's nuclear energy development has ushered in a new strategic opportunity period, "said Yang Changli.