China approves eight new nuclear reactors

China’s State Council approved the construction of eight new nuclear power reactors on Friday, reports Caixin. The move marks an estimated total investment of RMB 160 billion ($24 billion).

The newly greenlit units span four projects in the coastal provinces of Zhejiang, Guangdong, Liaoning and Shandong, all of which will utilize domestically developed third-generation nuclear technologies.

The approvals underscore Beijing’s unparalleled commitment to expanding its atomic fleet as the country races to nearly double its operational nuclear capacity to 110 gigawatts by 2030 to meet ambitious decarbonization targets.