China is becoming the main power in nuclear energy worldwide. Although the United States is still the largest producer of nuclear energy, the capacity in this sector in China is rapidly increasing, and it is expected that the country will surpass France and the United States in the next decade.
Rapid Growth of China's Nuclear Capacity
In the past decade, China has added 34 gigawatts of new capacity in nuclear energy, while the United States has added only one new nuclear power plant, the Vogtle plant in Georgia, to this capacity. Construction in China is such that a new power plant can be built in about six years, compared to over a decade for new plants in the United States.
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China's recent five-year plan indicates that the country does not intend to slow down in developing its nuclear capacities. The topics of innovation and security in this plan clearly indicate that nuclear energy is of great importance in meeting China's strategic priorities.
Development of Advanced Nuclear Technologies
China is rapidly becoming a global leader in advanced nuclear technologies and is building an advanced vertical nuclear ecosystem. This includes innovative design, construction, and fueling for nuclear reactors. China has also signed an agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to share its knowledge on High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactors (HTGR) with other countries.
HTGRs are advanced fourth-generation reactors capable of producing nuclear energy at very high temperatures, and these capabilities can be applied in various industrial applications. This agreement allows other countries greater access to China's engineering experiences and can aid in the development of nuclear systems that simultaneously produce electricity and industrial heat at high temperatures.
As a result, by creating the largest fleet of advanced nuclear energy in the world, China is seeking sustainable dominance in the global energy market, and with this approach, it seems poised to lead in providing clean and sustainable energy in the near future.
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