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Bloomberg

China’s rapid nuclear expansion will result in it overtaking the United States as the nation with the largest atomic power capacity by 2026, according to BMI Research.
The world’s second biggest economy would almost triple its nuclear capacity to nearly 100 gigawatts by 2026, making it the biggest market globally, analysts said in a note dated on January 27.
After brief pause, China rushes to build more nuclear power plants
The nation added about 8 gigawatts of nuclear power in 2016, boosting its installed capacity to about 34 million kilowatts, BMI said.
China has committed to boosting nuclear power, which accounted for about 1.7 per cent of its total generation in 2015, to help reduce its reliance on coal, which accounts for about two-thirds of the country’s primary energy.

The nation has 20 reactors currently under construction, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Another 176 were either planned or proposed, far more than any other nation, the World Nuclear Association has reported.
“We expect growth to continue and China to emerge as one of the largest nuclear markets globally in terms of total installed capacity over the coming decade, as the huge pipeline of reactors that are planned, proposed or under construction gradually comes online,” Georgina Hayden, head of energy and renewable research at BMI, said.
China General Nuclear Power and rival China National Nuclear plan to build four more reactors on mainland
“Furthermore, by expanding its own domestic nuclear sector, the country will develop the expertise to export nuclear capabilities and nuclear technology abroad.”
China General Nuclear Power Corporation, along with its fellow state-run nuclear giant China National Nuclear Corporation, is seeking to sell and build nuclear power plants across the world as part of the country’s efforts to export technology and surplus production capacity as it copes with a slowing domestic economy.

Coal’s share in the nation’s energy mix would gradually fall to just less than 54 per cent by 2026 from its current 70 per cent, BMI said.
“Nuclear additions are unlikely to slow in terms of absolute amount given the urgent priority to shift the generation mix away from thermal coal, today still over two thirds of output,” Joseph Jacobelli, an analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, said.
Could China build the world’s smallest nuclear power plant and send it to the South China Sea?
“Unlike solar and wind, where the construction cycle is typically short, nuclear’s longer planning and construction timing allows for the nation’s grid to better prepare the network and ensure dispatch and stability.”


China to overtake US as nation with biggest nuclear power capacity by 2026: research

The construction site of China General Nuclear Power's first Hualong One reactor in Fangchenggang, Guangxi, which is expected to be completed in 2020. Photo: Eric Ng

A coal-burning power plant can be seen behind a factory in the city of Baotou, in China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region October 31, 2010. REUTERS/David Gray/File Photo

== This Picture can be reused == Reactor Number 1 and 2. The Yangjiang Nuclear Power Station is a nuclear power plant in Guangdong province, China. The site is Dongping Town, Yangjiang City in western Guangdong Province. The station will have six 1,000 megawatt CPR-1000 pressurized water reactors. c.a. 2016. SCMP Pictures (UNDATED HANDOUT)

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Beijing, which has 20 reactors under construction, with another 176 planned or proposed, is committed to boosting nuclear power to reduce reliance on coal


China to overtake US as nation with biggest nuclear power capacity by 2026: research

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Beijing, which has 20 reactors under construction, with another 176 planned or proposed, is committed to boosting nuclear power to reduce reliance on coal

Beijing, which has 20 reactors under construction, with another 176 planned or proposed, is committed to boosting nuclear power to reduce reliance on coal