China’s Zhangzhou nuclear plant redefines energy future

Jason Deegan has unveiled in a fresh analysis that in recent months, China has made quiet but remarkable strides in its nuclear energy programme, drawing international attention with the swift development of the Zhangzhou nuclear power plant. As one of the country's flagship low-carbon energy projects, Zhangzhou is quickly emerging as a symbol of China’s growing ambition to lead in next-generation nuclear technology - both at home and on the global stage.

After touring a French nuclear site in Normandy and admiring its precision, the swift development halfway across the world surprised many. 

The recent commissioning of Zhangzhou’s second reactor signals a shift in global nuclear power dynamics, challenging France’s long-standing leadership.

Situated on China’s southeast coast, Zhangzhou is set to become one of the planet’s largest nuclear complexes. In April 2025, engineers completed critical “hot functional tests” on the second reactor—an essential safety check involving heated water flow without nuclear fuel, confirming system reliability. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regards this as the final step before fuel loading. Once operational later this year, the second reactor will join the first unit already powering the grid since January.

China’s domestically designed and built Hualong-1 reactors represent a major achievement for the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). Combining features from earlier models, the three-loop pressurized water reactor meets strict international safety standards and produces 1,000 megawatts each—enough to power about one million homes annually.

Unlike many Western plants reliant on imported components, Hualong-1’s key parts are made entirely in China, bolstering national energy security and boosting its export potential. Projects are underway in Pakistan, with negotiations ongoing in Europe and Africa.

Zhangzhou will eventually host six Hualong-1 reactors, generating 7.2 gigawatts total—making it the world’s second-largest nuclear site after Japan’s Kashiwazaki-Kariwa. Expected to produce over 60 terawatt-hours yearly, this output could replace 3 million tonnes of coal annually and reduce CO₂ emissions by roughly 8.16 million tonnes—equivalent to planting 70 million trees.

China currently sources 5 per cent of its electricity from nuclear power but aims to double this by 2035 and reach 18 per cent by 2060. The Hualong-1 design will be central to this transition, with reactors under construction abroad as China seeks to outpace nuclear powers like Russia, France, and the US.

The rapid pace at Zhangzhou is the result of close collaboration between CNNC and research institutes, integrating advanced scientific design with industrial scaling. This teamwork has minimised delays and cost overruns, producing a reactor that meets IAEA’s stringent safety and resilience standards.

Globally, Japan’s Kashiwazaki-Kariwa leads with 8,212 MW, followed by Canada’s Bruce and Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia. France’s Gravelines, Paluel, and Cattenom plants also rank among the top. Once fully operational, Zhangzhou’s 7,200 MW capacity will place it second worldwide—a development with profound geopolitical significance.

For France, which relies on nuclear power for about 70 per cent of its electricity, China’s rise offers both competition and motivation. Chinese reactors’ lower costs and faster build times could disrupt markets, but may also inspire innovation in Europe’s nuclear sector, accelerating efforts in advanced reactors, small modular reactors (SMRs), and next-generation fuels.

By Naila Huseynova