China can now construct over 40 nuclear power units simultaneously, driven by cutting-edge innovation and record investments, according to a new report from the China Nuclear Energy Association (CNEA). This milestone underscores the country's growing role in shaping global nuclear energy infrastructure.
The China Nuclear Energy Development Report 2025, released Sunday, highlights a surge in construction capabilities, with 2024 investments hitting 146.9 billion yuan ($20.16 billion) — a 52 billion yuan increase from the prior year. Advances in reactor design, safety, and multi-unit project management have positioned China's nuclear sector as a global leader.
Key to this progress is the domestically developed Hualong One reactor, now entering mass production domestically and internationally. Integrated construction techniques and dome-hoisting innovations have enabled China to scale projects efficiently while maintaining safety standards recognized worldwide.
’China has mastered full lifecycle capabilities in nuclear engineering, from design to commercial operation. Our management of multi-unit projects is internationally unmatched,’ said CNEA Executive Vice Chairman Cao Shudong.
Beyond energy, nuclear technology is diversifying. Major nuclear plants supplied heating for 14 million square meters during the 2024-2025 winter, reducing carbon footprints in cities. Breakthroughs in isotope production, including carbon-14 for medical use, and partnerships with countries like Thailand and Poland in nuclear medicine and agriculture, highlight China's expanding global collaborations.
As 12 research facilities open to international partners — including the China Advanced Research Reactor — the nation’s energy strategy now balances domestic growth with cross-border innovation.
