China Leads Global Nuclear Expansion to Surpass United States

The Government of China has overtaken the United States as the world leader in installed nuclear power capacity, reaching 125 million kilowatts. The state is aggressively expanding its fleet, with plans to commission seven new reactors in 2026 and a target of 110 gigawatts of capacity by 2030. Long-term projections suggest China will reach 200 million kilowatts by 2040. This growth is driven by the mass deployment of the domestically developed Hualong One reactor and the upcoming launch of the Linglong One, a small modular reactor approved by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

China currently operates 60 commercial reactors and has 36 under construction, accounting for over half of all global nuclear construction. The 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) designates coastal nuclear power and controllable nuclear fusion as major projects. To diversify funding, the San'ao Nuclear Power Plant in Zhejiang province will begin operations in early 2026 as the first project featuring private capital participation from approximately 2,000 enterprises.

This surge is part of a broader global nuclear revival driven by energy independence needs and the power demands of artificial intelligence. While the United States aims to quadruple its capacity by 2050 and Russia exports reactors to 20 sites worldwide, the European Commission has shifted policy to recognize nuclear energy as a reliable, low-emissions power source. China's strategy aims to reduce fossil fuel reliance and satisfy the energy needs of data centers while achieving dual-carbon goals.