US 15 years behind China in nuclear power development: Report
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A recent report from the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation highlights that the United States is trailing China by as much as 15 years in the development of advanced nuclear power technologies.
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A US and a Chinese flag wave outside a commercial building in Beijing on July 9, 2007. (AFP/Getty Images)
The United States lags behind China by up to 15 years in advancing high-tech nuclear power, as per a report released on Monday by the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, a nonpartisan research institute based in Washington, DC.
The report attributed China's advantage to its state-supported technological strategy and substantial financial backing. China currently has 27 nuclear reactors in various stages of construction, with an average construction period of approximately seven years, significantly faster than many other nations.
"China’s rapid deployment of ever-more modern nuclear power plants over time produces significant scale economies and learning-by-doing effects, and this suggests that Chinese enterprises will gain an advantage at incremental innovation in this sector going forward," the report stressed.
The United States reportedly possesses the largest number of nuclear power plants globally.
However, following the completion of two large plants in Georgia in 2023 and 2024, which exceeded their budgets by billions of dollars and were delayed for several years, no new nuclear reactors are currently under construction in the United States. Additionally, a high-tech plant initially planned for construction at a US laboratory was canceled last year.
China's state-owned banks can provide loans as low as 1.4%, significantly lower than rates available in Western economies. This advantageous financing, coupled with sustained state backing and localization strategies, has enabled China to dominate sectors, such as renewable energy and electric vehicles, as well as bolster its nuclear power industry.
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Last December, the world's inaugural fourth-generation high-temperature gas-cooled reactor at Shidao Bay commenced operation. According to the China Nuclear Energy Association, the project entailed the creation of over 2,200 sets of "world-first equipment", achieving a localization rate of domestically produced materials at 93.4%.
Advocates of advanced reactors argue that they offer enhanced safety and efficiency compared to existing plants.
Stephen Ezell, the author of the report, emphasized that if the United States intends to prioritize nuclear energy, it should formulate a comprehensive national strategy. This strategy should include increased investment in research and development, identification and expedited advancement of promising technologies, and bolstering the development of a highly skilled workforce.
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