China’s Nuclear Construction Scale Leads the World

China’s nuclear power construction scale continues to rank first in the world, according to the China Nuclear Power Development Report 2026 released by the National Energy Administration. As of the end of 2025, the country had 112 nuclear power units in operation or approved for construction, with a total installed capacity of 125 million kilowatts, Science and Technology Daily reported.

The report confirms China’s global leadership in nuclear energy construction for the 19th consecutive year, with 53 units approved for construction totaling 62.93 million kilowatts of capacity. The country’s 59 operating units, with 62.48 million kilowatts of capacity, rank third globally behind the United States and France.

Power Generation and Safety Record

China’s nuclear fleet generated 485.2 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2025, a 7.6% year-on-year increase, representing 4.6% of the nation’s total power output and 11.4% of non-fossil energy generation. Average utilization hours reached 7,809 hours, up 126 hours from the previous year.

The report highlights that during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), all Chinese nuclear units maintained excellent safety records with no adverse impact on the public or environment, placing China’s nuclear safety performance among the world’s best.

Domestic Technology and Supply Chain

China’s nuclear equipment industry achieved independent controllability during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, with equipment localization rates for new nuclear projects exceeding 90%. The supply chain now includes leading manufacturers for main equipment alongside specialized private enterprises focused on valves, materials, and instrumentation.

The domestically developed Hualong One (HPR1000) third-generation reactor technology has emerged as a cornerstone of China’s nuclear expansion. China Daily reported that 10 Hualong One units are now in commercial operation domestically and internationally, with another 37 approved or under construction. A single unit generates nearly 10 billion kilowatt-hours annually—enough to power a medium-sized city of over one million people.

Eight New Reactors Approved

Just days before the report’s release, the State Council approved construction of eight new reactors across four projects, marking the first batch of the 15th Five-Year Plan period. World Nuclear News reported that the approvals include three pairs of Hualong One reactors at the Jinqimen, Taipingling, and Zhuanghe sites, plus two Guohe One (CAP1400) reactors at the Laiyang site in Shandong.

The Jinqimen Phase II and Taipingling Phase III projects have been designated as demonstration projects for Hualong One 2.0, an advanced pressurized water reactor technology combining third-generation and advanced capabilities. The Zhuanghe project in Liaoning marks the first nuclear facility in Northeast China to adopt HPR1000 technology, while the Laiyang project represents the first standardized batch-built deployment of the Guohe One design.

Reactor Milestones and Global Standing

China’s nuclear fleet continues to expand rapidly. According to World Nuclear News, Changjiang Unit 3 in Hainan connected to the grid on August 1, and Taipingling Unit 2 in Guangdong entered commercial operation on August 3. These milestones brought China’s total installed nuclear generating capacity to 63.98 GWe, surpassing France’s 63 GW for the first time and placing the country second only to the United States (96.9 GWe).

Strategic Implications

The report’s outlook describes the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030) as a critical window for China’s transition from a large to a strong nuclear power nation. Guangming Daily noted that China’s operating nuclear capacity is projected to surpass the United States by 2030, with the China Nuclear Energy Association estimating installed capacity could reach 200 million kilowatts by 2040.

Nuclear power plays a strategic role in China’s energy security and climate commitments. As a stable baseload power source, it complements intermittent renewables like wind and solar, supporting the nation’s goals of peaking carbon emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060. The sector also drives significant economic activity—completed investment in nuclear engineering hit a record 161 billion yuan in 2025.

Private Capital and Future Development

The nuclear sector is increasingly opening to private investment. 36Kr reported that private capital participation in the Jinqimen Phase II project reached 20%, a record high for China’s nuclear industry. This signals a broader trend toward diversified funding for nuclear infrastructure.

Looking ahead, the report emphasizes the need to accelerate fourth-generation nuclear technology research and development, with multiple reactor types at the inflection point from technology development to engineering application. China’s controlled nuclear fusion research is also advancing rapidly, with cumulative financing exceeding 10 billion yuan and multiple technology development paths progressing simultaneously.

What to Watch

As China’s nuclear expansion accelerates, key questions remain: How will the projected 200 million kilowatts by 2040 be achieved given site availability considerations? What role will Hualong One 2.0 play in international nuclear exports? And how will increasing private capital participation reshape the industry’s structure? The answers will shape not only China’s energy landscape but the global nuclear power market for decades to come.