China gives green light to five nuclear units to cut carbon and aim for climate goals, sources say
- State Council approved nuclear projects to be developed by China National Nuclear Corporation at a meeting on Wednesday
- Safety official says nuclear power is necessary if China aims to have carbon emissions peak by 2030 and for the nation to be carbon neutral by 2060
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China’s first Hualong One nuclear reactor begins commercial operations
At a meeting on Wednesday China’s State Council approved five nuclear projects, which will be developed by China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), one of the two sources familiar with the matter said.
Officials, including those from the National Energy Administration and National Nuclear Safety Administration, attended the meeting at which the development of the nuclear industry in the country was discussed, four sources said. They asked not to be named because they were not authorised to speak to the press.
“Nuclear power is a ‘have to do’ choice if China aims to achieve the targets of bringing carbon emission [to a peak] by 2030 and reaching carbon neutrality by 2060,” an official from the nuclear safety bureau said.
The five reactors approved include four regular nuclear units – number 7 and number 8 at Tianwan nuclear power plant in eastern Jiangsu province, and number 3 and number 4 in Xudapu in northeastern Liaoning province.
