Show Notes

June 28, 2026

Fleet Status and Strategic Targets

Operational Capacity: As of late June 2026, China operates approximately 62 commercial nuclear units with a gross capacity exceeding 60 GWe, making it the second-largest fleet in the world.

Construction Pipeline: China leads the world with over 39 units (~37.3 GW) currently under construction, a position it has held for 19 consecutive years.

Commissioning Goals: Seven reactors are scheduled for commercial operation during 2026, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

Long-term Targets: The 15th Five-Year Plan aims for 110 GWe by 2030, while the China Nuclear Energy Association targets 150 GWe by 2035.

Weekly Milestones (Ending June 28, 2026)

Taipingling Unit 2: Achieved first criticality at 00:22 on June 25, 2026. According to CGN and World Nuclear News, this 1,116 MWe Hualong One unit is expected to enter commercial operation in late 2026.

Changjiang Unit 4: Commenced nuclear loop flushing on June 22, 2026. Per CNNC, this critical pre-commissioning step removes debris and verifies the leak tightness of the reactor coolant and safety systems.

Ningde Unit 5: Successfully completed its containment dome lift this week. The 270-tonne dome was installed in approximately two hours and forty-five minutes, marking the transition from civil construction to equipment installation.

Technological and Site Developments

Reactor Mix: The current build-out includes indigenous designs like the Hualong One and CAP1000, as well as Russian VVER-1200 units and Generation IV technologies such as the HTR-PM (pebble-bed) and CFR-600 (sodium-cooled).

Inland Siting: The Zhaoyuan site in Shandong is notable as the first project designed for inland siting in the current cycle, featuring a 203-metre natural draft cooling tower to enable atmospheric cooling.

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): The Linglong One (ACP100) at the Changjiang site is currently undergoing pre-commissioning tests. If it enters service on schedule, it would be the world’s first commercial land-based SMR to do so.

Full Disclaimer This report is prepared for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, a solicitation, or an offer to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. The information contained herein is compiled from publicly available sources believed to be reliable, but no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to its accuracy, completeness, or timeliness. The author and affiliated institutions accept no liability for any loss arising from the use of this report or its contents. Nuclear project timelines, capacities, and status information are subject to change and should be verified against official regulatory filings and operator announcements before being relied upon for any decision-making purpose

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