---
title: "China launches massive nuclear expansion: $25 billion approved for four new nuclear power plants"
description: "China has officially approved the construction of four new nuclear power plants worth over $25 billion. 🇨🇳⚡ The project will include 8 new power units, including the largest plant, Laiyang. This will continue China's leadership in global nuclear energy and serve as a driver for the low-carbon economy. 🏗️🌍"
date: 2026-08-02T14:42:37.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/china-launches-massive-nuclear-expansion-25-billion-approved-for-four-new-nuclear-power-plants
tags: [china, nuclear-energy, laiyang, taipingling, hualong-one]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# China launches massive nuclear expansion: $25 billion approved for four new nuclear power plants

![Construction of new nuclear power plants in China: aerial view of reactors and infrastructure](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/02/kitay-odobril-stroitelstvo-chetyrekh-novykh-ats/kitay-odobril-stroitelstvo-chetyrekh-novykh-ats-1.webp)

The Chinese government has officially launched a new phase in the development of nuclear energy by approving the construction of four major nuclear power plants. The total cost of this large-scale initiative exceeds $25 billion. The project involves the commissioning of eight new power units, marking a key step in the country's strategy to transition to a low-carbon economy.

### Map of new nuclear facilities

According to data published by the Xbt.com news agency, the approved list includes projects in four provinces that are strategically important for the country's energy balance:

- The second phase of the Jinmen Nuclear Power Plant in Zhejiang Province.

- The third phase of the Taipingling Nuclear Power Plant in Guangdong Province.

- A new site for the Zhuanghe Nuclear Power Plant in Liaoning Province.

- The Laiyang Nuclear Power Plant in Shandong Province.

These facilities are part of a long-term plan to gradually increase the share of nuclear generation in the country's overall energy mix.

### Technology and capacity

Special attention is being paid to the technological aspect of the new projects. The Taipingling Nuclear Power Plant will utilize the "Hualong One Version 2.0" technology. Each unit of the plant will have a capacity of 1,217 MW. Upon full commissioning, the plant's annual electricity generation is expected to exceed 55 billion kWh.

One of the key projects will be the Laiyang plant. The estimated cost of its construction is approximately $18 billion. Once work on the six units is completed, this facility will become the largest nuclear power plant in China in terms of installed capacity. Laiyang will also lay the foundation for the mass and standardized construction of "Guohua One" type reactors.

### Investment trend and global standing

The approval of these projects marks the start of a regular program for coordinating new nuclear construction in China for 2026. This continues the trend observed in previous years: from 2022 to 2025, the government annually approved the construction of at least 10 new reactors.

According to Chinese media, as of today, the PRC holds a leading position in the world both in terms of the volume of operating nuclear power capacity and the number of reactors under construction. New infrastructure projects in this sector remain one of the largest investment directions in the country's economy.