Role in global nuclear power continues to grow

在全球核电中的作用继续增强

The view of a nuclear power plant in Fangcheng Port in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. CHINA DAILY

广西壮族自治区防城港核电站的景色。中国日报

China has solidified its position as the world leader in nuclear power, with its total installed capacity surpassing 125 gigawatts, and is playing an increasingly indispensable role in the global transition toward clean energy, industry experts said.

行业专家指出，中国核电装机容量已突破125吉瓦，巩固了其全球核电领导者的地位，并在全球清洁能源转型中发挥着日益不可或缺的作用。

The country's installed nuclear power capacity now stands at an impressive 125.41 GW, combining 59 operational units with a total capacity of 62.48 GW and 53 units currently under construction, accounting for 62.93 GW, said Zeng Yachuan, director of the nuclear power department at the National Energy Administration.

国家能源局核电司司长曾亚川表示，目前我国核电装机容量达到125.41吉瓦，其中59台机组投入运行，总装机容量62.48吉瓦；另有53台机组正在建设中，总装机容量62.93吉瓦。

This achievement firmly places China at the forefront of the global nuclear power landscape, he said during the recently held nuclear power industry development forum, a sub forum of the International Forum on Energy Transition organized by the NEA in Suzhou, Jiangsu province.

他在近日举行的核电产业发展论坛上表示，这一成就使中国稳居全球核电领域前列。该论坛是国家能源局在江苏苏州举办的国际能源转型论坛的分论坛之一。

Global nuclear power generation reached a new decade-high in 2024, with robust growth expected to continue, he said.

他说，全球核电发电量在2024年创下十年新高，预计强劲增长态势将持续。

"In the ongoing global energy transition toward clean and low-carbon sources, nuclear energy's importance is becoming increasingly prominent. It is likely that an astounding 43.18 percent of the world's highest-rated nuclear power units originate from China, underscoring the nation's pivotal role."

“在全球向清洁低碳能源转型的进程中，核能的重要性日益凸显。全球最高评级核电机组中，高达43.18%可能来自中国，这彰显了我国的关键作用。”

China, one of the few countries to possess a complete and independent nuclear power industrial system, is leveraging its comprehensive capabilities to drive both domestic expansion and international collaboration.

中国作为少数拥有完整独立核电产业体系的国家之一，正凭借其综合实力推动国内扩张与国际合作。

Gao Ligang, general manager of China General Nuclear Power Group, said China's Hualong One, the country's domestically designed third-generation reactor, is a key indicator of this progress, with its complete self-sufficiency in core equipment.

中国广核集团总经理高立刚表示，中国自主设计的第三代核电机组“华龙一号”是这一进程的关键标志，其核心设备实现了完全自主化。

The widespread construction of China's domestically designed Hualong One technology marks a critical milestone for China, he said.

他指出，中国自主设计的华龙一号技术的大规模建设标志着中国核电发展的关键里程碑。

"It signifies not only the mastery of core technologies in the design and manufacturing of crucial nuclear power equipment, but also the stimulation of innovation across its vast supply chain."

“这不仅意味着掌握了核电关键设备设计制造的核心技术，更激发了整个庞大供应链的创新活力。”

This initiative has engaged over 5,400 upstream and downstream enterprises, leading to the localization of more than 400 key pieces of equipment, effectively making Hualong One entirely self-reliant for its complete set of equipment, he added.

该举措已带动5400余家上下游企业参与，实现400余台关键设备国产化，使华龙一号实现成套设备完全自主化，他补充道。

Key players within the nuclear power supply chain have also demonstrated robust integrated supply capabilities and forward-looking strategic planning.

核电供应链中的关键企业也展现出强大的集成供应能力和前瞻性战略规划。

Li Jianhua, deputy general manager of Dongfang Electric Group, said the company has achieved a stable supply capacity of four-six sets of primary equipment for the nuclear island, such as reactor pressure vessels, and six-eight sets of primary equipment for the conventional island, including turbine generator sets, on an annual basis.

东方电气集团副总经理李建华表示，公司已实现每年稳定供应4-6套核岛主设备（如反应堆压力容器）和6-8套常规岛主设备（如汽轮发电机组）的能力。

This consistent output is crucial for supporting China's ambitious nuclear power construction program and its leadership in the global nuclear energy sector, said Li.

李建华强调，这种持续产出能力对支撑中国雄心勃勃的核电建设计划及其在全球核能领域的领导地位至关重要。

China's rapid nuclear expansion aligns with its broader national energy strategy to enhance energy security, reduce reliance on fossil fuels and achieve its ambitious carbon neutrality goals, said Lin Boqiang, head of the China Institute for Studies in Energy Policy at Xiamen University.

厦门大学中国能源政策研究院院长林伯强指出，中国核电的快速扩张符合其更广泛的国家能源战略，旨在增强能源安全、减少对化石燃料的依赖，并实现其雄心勃勃的碳中和目标。

The continuous development and deployment of advanced nuclear technologies, particularly those with high domestic content like Hualong One, are critical for sustaining this momentum and further strengthening the nation's position as a global nuclear power leader, Lin said.

林伯强指出，持续发展和部署先进核技术，特别是像华龙一号这样具有高国产化率的技术，对于保持发展势头、进一步巩固中国作为全球核能领导者的地位至关重要。