According to a new report from the China Nuclear Energy Association (CNEA), China aims to achieve 200 gigawatt (GW) of nuclear power by 2040.
Currently, China's nuclear power capacity is 55 GW, with 57 nuclear reactors in operation, according to data from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Goldman Sachs said that of the 61 nuclear power plants under construction worldwide, nearly half are in China. For comparison, the US currently has about 97 GW of nuclear power with 94 reactors.
However, even when it achieves its nuclear target, much of China's power grid still relies on coal. CNEA estimates that by the end of 2030, nuclear energy will only account for about 10% of the total national electricity capacity.
Eliminating coal is the biggest challenge at present. This is the most polluted energy source and is why China is considered the country with the largest greenhouse gas emissions in the world.
However, China is making strong strides in developing renewable energy, opening up expectations for cheaper, less polluted electricity for people.
Recently, China's combined solar and wind power output have exceeded coal-fired power output. China also invests in foreign clean energy projects.
Nuclear power has high construction costs and takes a long time to operate, but the output of zero emissions is very significant. Small modular reactors may help shorten deployment time, while recent advances in thorium technology may improve safety.
With the expected growth rate, China is getting closer to the goal of gradually reducing its dependence on coal.
This conversion will help cut greenhouse gas emissions, thereby reducing extreme weather phenomena such as droughts and floods.
