China's nuclear generation capacity increased by 76% (24 GW) from 2016 to 2024, with an additional 1.1 GW added in 2025 and 2.2 GW in 2026 (through May), according to IES data and IAEA's PRIS. The country currently has 36 reactors under construction, representing over 49% of global nuclear construction, and 60 operational reactors with 58.7 GW capacity across 18 sites as of May 2026.
China employs a standardized project management approach, building reactors in batches of 6 to 10 to leverage economies of scale, and focuses on domestic manufacturing to reduce foreign reliance. Its average nuclear power plant build time is six years (2012-2021), significantly below the global average of nine years. China started construction on six new reactors in 2025 and two in 2026, commissioning Sanao-1 and Taipingling-1 this year. The nation is also developing its first domestically designed 100 MWe small modular reactor (SMR), the Linglong-1, expected to operate in the first half of 2026 for power, desalination, and district heating.
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