- China approves 10 new nuclear reactors across five provinces to meet its 2025 target of 65 GW atomic capacity.
- Most reactors will use Hualong One technology, with two using CAP1000, boosting domestic innovation and energy security.
- China leads global nuclear expansion, aiming to cut fossil fuel reliance and meet rising industrial power demand.
China’s State Council has approved the construction of ten new nuclear reactors across five provinces, ramping up efforts to meet growing electricity needs and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
The new reactors will increase China’s nuclear power capacity from under 60 gigawatts (GW) to the 2025 target of 65 GW. Officials named Fangchenggang (Guangxi), Taishan (Guangdong), Sanmen (Zhejiang), Haiyang (Shandong), and Xiapu (Fujian) as the sites for development.
Fangchenggang and Taishan will each receive two additional units, with construction starting on Units 5 and 6 and Units 3 and 4, respectively. Sanmen and Haiyang will both build Units 5 and 6. Xiapu will enter China’s nuclear program with its first two reactors.
Chinese developers plan to design most new units using the Hualong One (HPR1000) reactors. This homegrown, third-generation technology produces up to 10 billion kilowatt-hours annually — enough to power one million people. Two reactors will use CAP1000, a Chinese version of the American AP1000 design.
China continues to lead the world in nuclear development, building nearly half of all reactors currently under construction worldwide. The country has approved more than 30 new reactors since 2022, showing its determination to expand nuclear capacity at an unprecedented pace.
Officials aim to reduce coal dependence and meet rising industrial power demand through low-carbon nuclear energy. China’s leadership views atomic power as a key part of the long-term strategy for energy security and emissions reduction.
Energy planners see the rapid expansion as a solution to supply shortages and price instability in global energy markets. Rising global fuel prices and geopolitical conflicts have pushed China to invest more in self-reliant power systems.
China also aims to lower fossil fuel imports by pushing nuclear growth and easing pressure on trade balances. The shift could reshape global energy trade flows, particularly in oil and gas.
China’s nuclear buildout will also boost local industries, create thousands of jobs, and promote innovation in reactor technology. Analysts expect the government to approve even more projects over the next few years.
Beijing’s strategy aligns with its carbon neutrality pledge. Authorities plan to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve net-zero by 2060. Nuclear power gives China a stable and scalable clean energy option to meet those goals.
Investors and energy analysts continue to monitor China’s energy policy. Many see the nuclear push as a signal of the country’s influence in shaping global energy transitions.
By accelerating reactor construction, China confirms that nuclear power plays a central role in its energy future. The latest decisions reflect a clear shift toward long-term sustainability, energy independence, and economic resilience.