China joins the Triple Nuclear Energy Declaration

China officially joins the global nuclear energy expansion commitment, injecting new heavyweight power into this currently the most extensive multilateral framework for nuclear energy.

On Friday, according to the official WeChat account of the National Defense Science and Technology Industry Bureau, on March 10, at the second nuclear energy summit held in Paris, France, China announced its accession to the "Triple Nuclear Energy Declaration." The Director of the National Atomic Energy Agency of China, Shan Zhongde, attended the roundtable discussion on the "Triple Nuclear Energy Plan" at the summit and officially announced this decision on behalf of China.

The core goal of the "Triple Nuclear Energy Declaration" is to triple the global nuclear energy installed capacity by 2050 compared to 2020, to help achieve global net-zero emissions and the temperature control goals of the Paris Agreement around the middle of this century. With countries like China, Brazil, and Belgium joining successively, the total number of signatory countries has expanded to 38.

Shan Zhongde stated that China is willing to work hand in hand with all parties to promote nuclear energy technology innovation, safety governance, industrial collaboration, and win-win cooperation, and to continue providing Chinese wisdom, Chinese solutions, and Chinese strength to achieve the vision and goals of the "Triple Nuclear Energy Declaration." China's accession is seen as an important driving force for the sustainable development of global nuclear energy and the green low-carbon transformation of energy.

Declaration Goals and China's Nuclear Power Strength

The "Triple Nuclear Energy Declaration" was jointly initiated by 22 countries, including France, with the core goal of tripling the global nuclear energy installed capacity by 2050 compared to 2020, to help achieve global net-zero emissions and the temperature control goals of the Paris Agreement around the middle of this century. The declaration proposes 11 joint actions covering various aspects such as nuclear power operation safety and spent fuel management, nuclear energy project financing, diversified utilization of nuclear energy, resilience of the nuclear industry supply chain, and extending the lifespan of operating nuclear power units.

China's joining of this declaration is backed by its continuously accumulated scale advantages in the nuclear power sector. According to China Industry News, as of now, there are 112 nuclear power units in operation and approved for construction in mainland China, with an installed capacity of 125 million kilowatts, making it the world's largest nuclear power country. By 2025, China's nuclear power generation is expected to reach approximately 480 billion kilowatt-hours, accounting for 4.8% of the country's total power generation. In terms of equipment manufacturing, China has formed the world's most complete nuclear power equipment industrial chain supply chain system, with a localization rate of key equipment exceeding 90%, capable of manufacturing 10 sets of nuclear power main equipment annually, and simultaneously undertaking the construction of 50 units.

In terms of policy rhythm, China's nuclear power approvals are being advanced at a high intensity. From 2022 to 2025, China will approve 10 units each year, with 11 units approved in 2024. The investment for each nuclear power unit is approximately 20 billion yuan, with a total investment of over 800 billion yuan for 41 units.

Zeng Yachuan, Director of the Nuclear Power Department of the National Energy Administration, recently wrote that the global nuclear power landscape is undergoing profound changes, with more than 30 countries making triple nuclear commitments, the United States proposing a quadruple nuclear plan, and countries like Germany gradually adjusting their nuclear phase-out policies This brings new strategic opportunities for China to strengthen international nuclear power exchange and cooperation, and to promote the "going out" of nuclear power