China Boosts Nuclear Capacity Nearly Threefold in 10 Years, Reports EIA

China has achieved a remarkable feat in its energy landscape, with the latest analysis from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) revealing a near-tripling of its nuclear power capacity over the past decade, adding over 34 GW. This substantial increase brings China's total operating nuclear reactors to 55, boasting a combined net capacity of 53.2 GW as of April 2024.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) database indicates even more robust figures, citing 56 operational plants with a total net capacity of 54.1 GW. Furthermore, China has a significant pipeline of nuclear projects underway, with 23 reactors currently under construction, representing an estimated capacity of 23.7 GW, as per the EIA's assessment, or 25 reactors with 26.3 GW according to the IAEA.

Comparatively, while the United States maintains the largest commercial nuclear fleet globally, with 94 reactors in operation, it took nearly four decades to match the nuclear power capacity China has added in just ten years.

In the last decade alone, China has introduced 37 new nuclear reactors, a stark contrast to the two added by the US during the same period. The IAEA highlights China as the world's fastest-growing nuclear power producer.

Despite this rapid expansion, nuclear power accounted for only about 5% of China's total power generation in 2022, in contrast to the US where it contributes approximately 18% to the electricity generation mix, as reported by the EIA.

China's nuclear fleet is primarily concentrated in the eastern coastal regions, spanning from Liaoning in the north to Hainan in the south, strategically positioned near major population centers. The majority of China's nuclear plants utilize pressurized water reactors, including domestically developed HPR1000 (Hualong One) plants and Westinghouse-designed AP1000s.

China embarked on a long-term nuclear power development strategy in 2011 to meet growing energy demands and address environmental concerns. However, coal remains the predominant source of electricity generation in China, with its capacity expanding by 19.5 GW in 2022 alone, totaling 1,089 GW.

Beijing aims to reduce its reliance on coal, which not only pollutes the air but also faces logistical challenges in transportation from remote mining regions to the densely populated coastal areas where nuclear power infrastructure is concentrated.

Nuclear power presents a strategic opportunity for China to enhance energy security, diminish reliance on coal and oil, and mitigate CO2 emissions while sustaining economic growth, according to the IAEA.