China approves eight new nuclear reactor blocks

China's State Council has approved the construction of eight new nuclear reactor blocks, two each in the provinces of Zhejiang, Guangdong, Liaoning and Shandong. The projects are estimated to cost more than 170 billion yuan (about €22 billion) and continue the country's rapid expansion of nuclear power.

Earlier in the year Beijing also authorized ten additional reactor blocks with an investment of roughly 200 billion yuan. China now leads the world in installed nuclear capacity at 125 GW, with 60 reactors in commercial operation and 36 under construction. The move is aimed at securing energy supply as coal’s share of electricity generation fell below 50 % in the first half of 2026, while renewables supplied 41 % and nuclear filled the remaining gap.

The expansion underscores China's strategy to reduce reliance on coal, support growing electricity demand from electric vehicles and air‑conditioning, and strengthen overall energy security.