Nuclear power in China

Taishan Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1 & 2 are two 1750 MWe class EPR reactors.
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Nuclear energy generation in China (TWh)[1][2][3][4][5]
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Nuclear power share of total electricity in China (%)[6][1][2]

China is one of the world's largest producers of nuclear power. The country ranks third in the world both in total nuclear power capacity installed and electricity generated, accounting for around one tenth of global nuclear power generated. As of February 2023, China has 55 plants with 57GW in operation, 22 under construction with 24 GW and more than 70 planned with 88GW. About 5% of electricity in the country is due to nuclear energy.[7] These plants generated 417 TWh of electricity in 2022 [8] This is versus the September 2022 numbers of 53 nuclear reactors, with a total capacity of 55.6 gigawatt (GW).[9] In 2019, nuclear power had contributed 4.9% of the total Chinese electricity production, with 348.1 TWh.[2]

Nuclear power has been looked into as an alternative to coal due to increasing concerns about air quality, climate change and fossil fuel shortages.[10][11] The China General Nuclear Power Group has articulated the goal of 200 GW by 2035, produced by 150 additional reactors.[12][13]

China has two major nuclear power companies, the China National Nuclear Corporation operating mainly in north-east China, and the China General Nuclear Power Group (formerly known as China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group) operating mainly in south-east China.[14]

China aims to maximize self-reliance on nuclear reactor technology manufacturing and design, although international cooperation and technology transfer are also encouraged. Advanced pressurized water reactors such as the Hualong One are the mainstream technology in the near future, and the Hualong One is also planned to be exported.[15][16] China plans to build as many as thirty nuclear power reactors in countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative by 2030.[17][18][19] By mid-century fast neutron reactors are seen as the main technology, with a planned 1400 GW capacity by 2100.[20][21][22] China is also involved in the development of nuclear fusion reactors through its participation in the ITER project, having constructed an experimental nuclear fusion reactor known as EAST located in Hefei,[23] as well as research and development into the thorium fuel cycle as a potential alternative means of nuclear fission.[24]

  1. ^ a b "China's nuclear power generation rises in 2018 – Xinhua | English.news.cn". xinhuanet.com. Archived from the original on 2 May 2019. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  2. ^ a b c "China's nuclear power output jumps 18% year on year". World Nuclear News. 24 February 2020.
  3. ^ "2020 electricity & other energy statistics (preliminary)". China Energy Portal | 中国能源门户. 22 January 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  4. ^ "2019 detailed electricity statistics (update of Jan 2021)". China Energy Portal | 中国能源门户. 20 January 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  5. ^ "中国电力企业联合会网-中国最大的行业门户网站". www.cec.org.cn. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  6. ^ International Atomic Energy Agency (2022). "Power Reactor Information System (PRIS): China, People's Republic of". IAEA. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  7. ^ "How Long Will It Take for China's Nuclear Power to Replace Coal?". Forbes.
  8. ^ "PRIS - Country Details".
  9. ^ "Nation pushes nuclear power to ensure supply, reach carbon goals".
  10. ^ "Nuclear Power in China". World Nuclear Association. 2 July 2010. Archived from the original on 12 February 2013. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
  11. ^ "[宁德] 宁德核电站在福鼎开工-图 - 福建之窗 66163.com". Fjnews.66163.com. 7 March 2008. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
  12. ^ Murtaugh, Dan; Krystal, Chia (2 November 2021). "China's Climate Goals Hinge on a $440 Billion Nuclear Buildout". Bloomberg. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  13. ^ "China's Climate Goals Hinge on a $440 Billion Nuclear Buildout". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  14. ^ Keith Bradsher (15 December 2009). "Nuclear Power Expansion in China Stirs Concerns". New York Times. Archived from the original on 19 July 2016. Retrieved 21 January 2010.
  15. ^ "Chinese firms join forces to market Hualong One abroad". World Nuclear News. 31 December 2015. Archived from the original on 6 February 2016. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
  16. ^ "Hualong One joint venture officially launched". World Nuclear News. 17 March 2016. Archived from the original on 18 March 2016. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  17. ^ "The trade war we want China to win: China's nuclear exports can challenge Russian dominance". Atlantic Council. 26 February 2020. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  18. ^ "China could build 30 'Belt and Road' nuclear reactors by 2030: official". Reuters. 20 June 2019. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  19. ^ Turner, Ben (23 July 2021). "China to activate world's first 'clean' nuclear reactor in September". livescience.com. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  20. ^ Brook, Barry (27 November 2011). "Summary of China's fast reactor programme". Brave New Climate. Archived from the original on 20 April 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  21. ^ "Fast Reactor Technology Development for Sustainable Supply of Nuclear Energy in China – China International Nuclear Symposium November 23–25, 2010, Beijing" (PDF). XU MI – China Institute of Atomic Energy. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 September 2016.
  22. ^ "PACIFIC NUCLEAR COUNCIL (PNC) – 2nd QUARTER 2015 MEETING – Thursday, April 23, 2015 – Beijing, CHINA- Meeting Minutes (Final)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 April 2016.
  23. ^ "China to build world's first "artificial sun" experimental device". People's Daily Online. 21 January 2006. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 22 March 2011.
  24. ^ Ambrose Evans-Pritchard, 20 March 2011, Safe nuclear does exist, and China is leading the way with thorium Archived 25 March 2018 at the Wayback Machine, Telegraph UK