Nuclear power plants are poised for a comeback in China, as they phase out coal plants, favoring the alleged meltdown-resistant nuclear reactors.
China's Ambitious 'Coal to Nuclear' Transition
China is embarking on a significant shift from coal to nuclear power, with a focus on converting retiring coal-fired plants into nuclear power stations. This strategy, known as 'Coal to Nuclear' (C2N), is drawing attention from policymakers, engineers, and environmental analysts amid China's dual goals of clean energy and carbon neutrality by 2060.
One key aspect of the C2N initiative is the use of high-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs) and molten salt thorium reactors. These fourth-generation reactors, which generate hotter steam than ordinary reactors, are well-suited for powering coal-fired turbines efficiently. The molten salt thorium reactors, needing no water, suit inland sites like the Gobi Desert, where one experimental reactor already runs, with a larger electricity-generating version under construction.
The move is aimed at China's vast coal capacity, which is enough to power the entire United States. China has over 1.19 terawatts of coal-fired power, with roughly 100 gigawatts set to retire by 2030. By replacing these coal plants with nuclear power stations, China aims to reduce its CO2 emissions and accelerate the energy transition.
The C2N transition in China could span several decades. To scale up the transition, regulators may need to open the market to more players, including traditional power companies that own coal assets. This could help speed up the conversion of retiring coal plants into nuclear sites.
The United States is also showing interest in this transition. Provisions in the 2022 Chips and Science Act support converting retiring coal plants to nuclear sites. TerraPower, backed by Bill Gates, plans a sodium-cooled fast reactor at a retired Wyoming coal plant.
Social factors have become one of the key influences on infrastructure development in China, and public acceptance of nuclear energy is crucial for the C2N initiative. According to researchers, these fourth-generation reactors may meet safety requirements more easily and gain public acceptance.
The C2N initiative, proposed by China Energy Engineering Group Co (CEEC), provides a direct path to decarbonisation while preserving infrastructure, especially in coastal areas. By fitting a 600-megawatt HTGR on a coal site with minimal land expansion, the transition aligns with coal plant steam systems, making it an attractive proposition for China's energy future.
