For Climate-Conscious China, Nuclear Power Fuels an Economic Boom

For Climate-Conscious China, Nuclear Power Fuels an Economic Boom

by Lee Gliddon

China built its first commercial reactor in 1985 and rapidly became a global nuclear power player in the late 90s. Last year, it got 1.85 percent of its electricity from nuclear, the lowest share of any country with nuclear power. But by May this year, China had increased its nuclear potential and made plans to more than double it. According to the World Nuclear Organization, thirty-nine percent of global new nuclear build now comes from China, and the country is rapidly becoming self-sufficient in reactor design, construction, and other aspects of the fuel cycle.