According to the "2024 China Nuclear Development Report" released by the China Nuclear Energy Association on April 16, China currently has 26 nuclear power units under construction, with a total installed capacity of 30.3 million kilowatts, remaining the world's number one.
In 2023, China approved five new nuclear projects and commenced construction on five nuclear units.
China's nuclear power generation reached 433.371 billion kilowatt-hours in 2023, ranking second globally and equivalent to reducing over 130 million tons of standard coal consumption.
China has independently developed third-generation pressurized water reactor brands, such as the "Hualong One" and the "Guohe One," along with advanced nuclear technologies like fourth-generation high-temperature gas-cooled reactors, fast reactors, and small modular reactors, all entering the stage of mass construction.
The "Hualong One" has five units in operation domestically and abroad, with 13 units under construction. The national major science and technology project, the high-temperature gas-cooled reactor demonstration project, commenced commercial operation at the end of 2023, while the "Guohe One" demonstration project steadily progresses.
By the carbon-neutral stage (2051-2060), China aims to reach a total electricity consumption of 16-18 trillion kilowatt-hours, with 700 million kilowatts of installed capacity. Over 90% of the electricity will be from clean energy, with over 60% from new energy sources and 18% from nuclear power, while coal-fired electricity will drop to around 6%.
Regarding nuclear safety, China maintains an internationally advanced level. In 2023, 33 nuclear power units in China achieved a perfect score in the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) comprehensive index, surpassing nuclear powers like the US and Russia.
Over the past five years, among the nuclear power units worldwide with a statistical WANO comprehensive index, China's units achieving a perfect score accounted for 65%, exceeding 40% of the total perfect score units globally.
