China has approved the construction of 11 new nuclear reactors across five sites, with a total investment of approximately €27.9 billion ($31 billion). Each reactor will cost less than $3 billion, and all will have power ratings of at least 1,000 MW. The construction of these reactors is expected to be completed within about five years.
State-run news outlets reported that this approval marks a record number of permits issued in a single year, reflecting the government’s increasing reliance on nuclear energy to support its efforts to reduce emissions. China’s ability to achieve these milestones is supported by well-established supply chains and a highly experienced labor force. Unlike in Western democracies, the Chinese government does not require public consensus for policy and budget commitments necessary to build a large fleet of nuclear reactors. Additionally, the funding for these plants comes entirely from the government.
China Energy News reported that the State Council, China’s national cabinet, approved the new reactors in the provinces of Guangdong, Guangxi, Jiangsu, Shandong, and Zhejiang.
CGN Power Company (CGN), a listed unit of the state-owned China General Nuclear Power Corporation, announced in a Hong Kong stock exchange filing that it received approvals for six reactors across three sites. China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) stated on WeChat that it had been granted approval for three reactors, while State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC) received approval for two units.
Details of the Approved Reactor Projects
- Guangdong Province: CGN will construct two reactors as Units 1 and 2 of the Lufeng nuclear power station, which will utilize the CAP1000 design, China’s adaptation of the Westinghouse AP1000. These reactors, with a power rating of 1,150 MW, will be built at a coastal site located about 25 km southeast of Lufeng.
- Shandong Province: CGN will build two Hualong One reactors as Units 1 and 2 of the Zhaoyuan nuclear power station. This coastal site is located in Zhaoyuan City, Yantai, Shandong. The Hualong One is an 1,100 MW pressurized water reactor (PWR) based on a domestic design.
- Zhejiang Province: CGN will also construct two Hualong One reactors as Units 3 and 4 of the San’ao nuclear power station, another coastal site.
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region: SPIC has been approved to build two CAP1000 PWRs as the first phase of the Bailong nuclear power plant, located at a coastal site in Guangxi. An investment of about $5.6 billion is planned for these two units, which are expected to take 56 months to complete. The site also has plans for four additional CAP1400 reactors in later phases.
- Jiangsu Province: CNNC will construct Phase I of its Xuwei plant, which will feature a unique combination of a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) coupled with a pressurized water reactor. The HTGR will supply steam to a nearby petrochemical plant, and the project will also include two Hualong One reactors. This plant, located near the Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant on the coast of the Yellow Sea, is expected to have both high-quality steam supply and power generation capabilities.
Background on China’s Nuclear Ambitions
China currently operates 56 commercial reactors. According to data from UK-based energy think tank Ember, coal-fired power plants generated 59.6% of China’s total electricity output during the first half of 2024, marking the first time on record that coal produced less than 60% of the country’s total electricity during that period. By 2035, nuclear power is expected to contribute about 10% of China’s power generation, and by 2060, this figure is projected to rise to 18%, with a total generation capacity of 400 GW.
No Inland Nuclear Plants Approved
Despite having preliminary approvals for 31 new reactors at inland sites, China has not commenced construction on any of these projects. The sites, which are all greenfield locations on major rivers, face delays due to differences between provincial and central governments on economic development priorities, as well as local concerns about potential pollution of the rivers. Additionally, logistical challenges, such as the lack of adequate roads and rail lines for transporting large reactor components, have further complicated the approval process for inland nuclear plants.
