The safe and efficient development of nuclear power is an important part of China's energy strategy.
The nuclear power of China has been advancing in well condition for years with a leading fleet of nuclear power plants (NPPs) under construction as well as an outstanding performance of operating ones. There is no incident above International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES) 2 and the power consumption indicators are pioneering. So far, 49 operating NPP units of 51.03 GWe total installed generating capacity is ranking the third in the world while 19 units under construction of 20.99 GWe ranking the first. In 2020, nuclear power has supplied 4.9% of total power generated with only 2.3% of total capacity installed.
On May 19, 2021, the initiation of the China-Russia nuclear power project is not only the success of energy cooperation between both countries, but also the milestone of accelerating greater, wider, and higher class international collaboration. The development of the nuclear industry, even the energy sector in China is guided by the strategy of “Safety first to establish the exemplar of global nuclear power cooperation, innovation-driven to enhance technical collaboration, as well as the strategic partnership to accelerate the harmonization of world’s energy system”.
The next 15 years is the strategic window of nuclear power development in China. In 2035, the total capacity of nuclear power plants operating and under construction would reach 200 GWe, supplying 10% of the total energy portfolio. To fulfill the “Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality” mission, the acceleration of green and decarbonization of the power system in China is calling for the strong growth of nuclear power due to its clean and zero CO2 emission. With the authorization of 6 to 8 units per year on self-reliance GEN III technology, the sizable and collective construction would achieve 70 GWe total installed generating capacity in 2025 with 50 GWe under construction in 2025 while 120 GWe total installed generating capacity in 2030, supplying 8% of the total energy portfolio.
The progress and evolution (of energy) is driven by the innovation. The “Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality” strategy brings new mission of our time for structural optimization and green development to energy sector in China, as well as new opportunities for all low carbon energy sources. Since the first commercial operation of nuclear power unit in 1994, the accumulated nuclear power generation in China is more than 2.6 TWh as reduction of CO2 emission for 2.1 billion tons, devoting for national energy security and green, low-carbon transformation of economy and society. The development of nuclear power is irreplaceable in the implementation of “Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality” strategy.
During the 14 Five-Year Plan, the development of nuclear industry is beyond the growth of nuclear power, speeding up to the comprehensive application of nuclear energy through technical innovation and industrial collaboration to further modernize the regulation of nuclear safety while continuously improve the safety and economy of nuclear energy for future industrial progression. The extensive application of nuclear technology for medical treatment, irradiation, environmental surveillance and etc. is of great potential, driving the advancement of equipment manufacturing and other industrial, merging in the great national economic circulation. Meanwhile, the global demand on China’s nuclear power technology and manufacturing capability would increase as local self-reliance GEN III projects demonstrating their maturity, presenting the growing “Going Out” opportunities of nuclear power equipment.