China's nuclear expansion is unprecedented in scale and speed. With 56 reactors currently operating and 23 more under construction

 

China is building nuclear reactors faster than any nation in history — and it designed its own reactor to do it.

China's nuclear expansion is unprecedented in scale and speed. With 56 reactors currently operating and 23 more under construction — more than any other country — China is adding nuclear capacity at a pace that reflects both its enormous electricity demand and its determination to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.

The centerpiece of China's nuclear program is the Hualong One — the HPR1000 — a third-generation pressurized water reactor designed entirely by Chinese engineers at CGNPC and CNNC. The design incorporates both active and passive safety systems, a double containment structure, and a 60-year operational life. It is China's answer to the APR-1400 and the AP1000 — a domestically developed reactor that China is not just deploying at home but actively exporting internationally.

The Fuqing Nuclear Power Plant's Unit 5 — the first grid-connected Hualong One — began commercial operation in January 2021. Since then, multiple additional Hualong One units have entered service at Fuqing, Fangchenggang, and Taipingling, with construction accelerating as the supply chain reaches full maturity.

China's nuclear construction timeline — typically 5-6 years from first concrete pour to grid connection — is among the fastest in the world. Standardization of the Hualong One design, experienced construction teams, and a domestic supply chain that manufactures virtually all major components have driven down both cost and schedule.

Pakistan has already received two Hualong One reactors at Karachi. Argentina, Saudi Arabia, and Romania are in negotiation.

China National Nuclear Corporation — 2024

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