China builds nuclear reactors twice as fast as the West

China is rapidly becoming the global leader in nuclear energy, with nearly as many reactors under construction as the rest of the world combined. By 2030, its nuclear capacity is projected to surpass that of the U.S. — the very nation that first split the atom to produce electricity.

Source The New York Times

Unlike the U.S. and Europe, China has streamlined its reactor construction, overcoming cost overruns and delays that cripple Western projects. Backed by government funding, standardized reactor models, and domestic supply chains, China can now complete reactors in five to six years — twice as fast as the West.

Beijing’s ambition is to dominate the global nuclear export market, joining the ranks of the U.S., Russia, France, and South Korea. Simultaneously, it’s investing heavily in nuclear fusion — a potentially limitless clean energy source — positioning itself as the world’s next energy superpower.