China has been racing ahead in terms of new nuclear capacity and new nuclear developments in recent years, and there are big plans ahead, most recently set out in the country's latest five-year plan. In this episode we take an extended look at the nuclear energy sector in China, with François Morin, Country Director for World Nuclear Association.

China currently has 62 GW of generating capacity plus 38 new units under construction which will add 44 GW. There are another 17 units approved with 20 GW capacity. This means that by 2033 China will likely have 120 GW of capacity. That number looks set to continue increasing at a similar - or faster - rate over the next two decades if the aim is to be achieved of a 15% share for nuclear in the future energy mix.

Morin discusses the different reactor technologies being used, as well as innovative developments in district heating, and industrial heating with reactor combinations at power plants including high temperature gas-cooled reactors. There is also the latest news about China's landmark small modular reactor, its molten salt reactor developments, nuclear fusion plans, and much more.

Key links to find out more:

World Nuclear News
First San'ao unit connected to the grid
China starts construction of innovative nuclear project
Chinese SMR completes non-nuclear steam start up test
Construction milestone at Chinese underground laboratory
Chinese molten salt reactor achieves conversion of thorium-uranium fuel

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Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

How long should it take from signing a contract to first concrete, to completion, for a new nuclear power plant? And what needs to be done to ensure the funding can be unlocked for new units? Those are just two of the topics covered by Assystem's Stéphane Aubarbier.

In addition to discussing progress on France's EPR2 new nuclear programme - and the lessons from EPR projects - the deputy CEO talks about Assystem's work in a variety of different countries, including the UK and Kazakhstan. He sees a positive trend towards regulatory similarities across borders, especially with newcomer countries - who he also notes can benefit from devising efficient licensing and permitting systems.

Aubarbier also covers the company's involvement with the ITER multinational fusion project and other fusion projects. His advice to young people considering their future career options is to find a subject and work that they find fun, adding: "If you have studied physics, are an engineer or a scientist, nuclear is a dream world."

Key links to find out more:

Assystem

World Nuclear News

WNE panel discusses adding value to the supply chain

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Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production

The World Nuclear News team looks back over the most read articles in 2025 - with topics including Canada's ground-breaking SMR project, the 50th World Nuclear Symposium, the eventual signing of a contract for the Czech new nuclear project, China's SMR completing cold testing, and the drone damage to Chernobyl's New Safe Confinement.

Then World Nuclear Association Director General Sama Bilbao y León picks out the key themes of the year, noting the fast-growing interest from the financial sector in investment opportunities in nuclear, plus the declaration from energy users such as Google, Meta and Dow Chemicals to support the goal of at least tripling nuclear energy capacity by 2050.

With a number of projects making progress in countries without recent experience of nuclear construction there has also been a lot of focus on developing supply chains, reflected in the success of the World Nuclear Supply Chain conference held in Poland.

Looking ahead to 2026 there are big set-piece events to look forward to - such as World Nuclear Symposium in London, World Nuclear Supply Chain conference in the Philippines and World Nuclear Fuel Cycle conference in Monaco - with big moments also expected for the first units in Bangladesh and Turkey, a restart for Palisades as well as first concrete due to be poured for Hungary's Paks II project.

Bilbao y León says the "stars are definitely aligned" for nuclear and the coming year "is the moment where the global nuclear industry really needs to be proactive and active and make the most of this opportunity".

She says: "We really need to work together with our governments. We need to work together with the nuclear regulators, with the finance community, with large energy users. And we cannot leave behind civil society. We have seen major improvements in acceptance and interest in nuclear, but we need to continue to be very proactive to engage with civil society, to make sure that no question is left unanswered."

Key links to find out more:
World Nuclear News
Canada's first SMR project: How is CAD20.9 billion cost calculated?
World Nuclear Association

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Sign up to the World Nuclear News daily or weekly news round-ups

Contact info:
alex.hunt@world-nuclear.org

Episode credit: Presenter Alex Hunt. Reporters Claire Maden and Warwick Pipe. Co-produced and mixed by Pixelkisser Production