China — Nuclear Fleet Overview

Operating Reactors (database): 9 tracked in platform Total Tracked Capacity: 6090 MWe Under Construction (database): 8 Planned: 8 Regulatory Body: NRC (National Nuclear Safety Administration)

Fleet Summary

China's nuclear power industry has grown rapidly since its first reactor, Qinshan Phase I, began operation in 1991, marking it as a late but aggressive entrant to civilian nuclear energy. As of late 2023, China operates 55 nuclear power reactors with a combined net capacity of approximately 53 GWe, making it the third-largest nuclear fleet globally behind the United States and France. With 24 reactors under construction (totaling over 25 GWe), China is on track to surpass France in capacity by 2030, driven by ambitious expansion plans to meet energy security and carbon neutrality goals by 2060. The fleet includes a mix of domestic designs like the HPR1000, foreign technologies such as the AP1000 and VVER-1200, and innovative projects like the HTR-PM high-temperature gas-cooled reactor.

Policy & Outlook

China's nuclear policy is firmly embedded in its broader energy strategy, targeting 10% of electricity from nuclear by 2035 and 18% by 2060 as part of its carbon neutrality pledge. The 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) emphasizes rapid nuclear expansion, with approvals for 6-8 new reactors annually, alongside heavy investment in domestic technology like the HPR1000 to reduce reliance on foreign designs. Small modular reactors (SMRs) are a priority, with projects like the ACP100 "Linglong One" under construction and plans for floating reactors like the ACPR50S to power remote regions and maritime applications. Legislation supports safety and innovation through the China National Nuclear Safety Administration (NNSA), ensuring alignment with international standards while accelerating deployment.

Key Sites

• Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant (Zhejiang Province): China's first nuclear power plant, operational since 1991, hosts multiple units with a total capacity of over 6 GWe, serving as a cornerstone of its nuclear development.
• Fuqing Nuclear Power Plant (Fujian Province): A major site with six operational units, including the HPR1000 design at Unit 6 (1,090 MWe), showcasing China's push toward standardized domestic reactor technology.
• Shidaowan Nuclear Power Plant (Shandong Province): Home to the world's first commercial high-temperature gas-cooled reactor, the HTR-PM (200 MWe), operational since 2021, marking a significant milestone in advanced reactor technology.

Historical Context

China's civilian nuclear program began in the 1980s with the construction of Qinshan Phase I, achieving criticality in 1991 as the first indigenously designed pressurized water reactor in Asia. Milestones include the introduction of foreign designs in the 1990s and 2000s (e.g., French PWRs at Daya Bay and U.S. AP1000s at Sanmen) and the development of the domestic HPR1000 in the 2010s, reflecting a shift toward self-reliance. A notable incident occurred in 2021 at Taishan Nuclear Power Plant, where a fuel rod issue in a French-designed EPR unit raised safety concerns, though it was resolved without significant environmental impact. This event underscored China's growing focus on safety protocols as its fleet expands.

Operating Reactors (Platform Database)

Reactor	Site	Type	Capacity (MWe)	Operator	Commercial Operation
CARR (China Advanced Research Reactor)	—	Tank-in-pool	—	CIAE (China Institute of Atomic Energy)	—
HFETR (High Flux Engineering Test Reactor)	—	Pool	—	NPIC/CAEP	—
CJRR (China JinggangShan Research Reactor)	—	Pool	—	CIAE	—
Fuqing Unit 6	—	HPR1000	1090	—	—
Tianwan Unit 7	—	VVER-1200	1200	—	—
Tianwan Unit 8	—	VVER-1200	1200	—	—
Xudapu Unit 1	—	VVER-1200	1200	—	—
Xudapu Unit 2	—	VVER-1200	1200	—	—
HTR-PM	—	Pebble bed HTGR	200	—	—

Under Construction (Platform Database)

Reactor	Site	Type	Capacity (MWe)	Expected Operation
Sanmen Unit 3	—	AP1000	1157	TBD
Haiyang Unit 3	—	AP1000	1250	TBD
Haiyang Unit 4	—	AP1000	1250	TBD
Xudapu Unit 3	—	HPR1000	1090	TBD
Xudapu Unit 4	—	HPR1000	1090	TBD
Lianjiang Unit 1	—	HPR1000	1090	TBD
Lianjiang Unit 2	—	HPR1000	1090	TBD
ACP100 "Linglong One"	—	Integral PWR	125	TBD

Sources

• IAEA PRIS — China — IAEA Power Reactor Information System
• WNA Country Profile — World Nuclear Association
• NRC (National Nuclear Safety Administration) — National nuclear regulator

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Enriched by Grok · Second Atomic Age Nuclear Wiki · 2026-05-10