China’s energy planners are taking a serious look at coal-to-nuclear repowering.
A new study published in Southern Energy Construction by the East China Electric Power Design Institute (China Power Engineering Consulting Group) analyses which reactor types are best suited to replace decommissioned coal-fired units on existing sites.
Under China’s dual-carbon goals, the paper argues that in-situ nuclear replacement is not only technically feasible but necessary to accelerate decarbonisation — with High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactors (HTGRs) identified as the most compatible option thanks to their smaller footprint, flexible siting requirements, and safety advantages.
The research provides one of the clearest technical roadmaps yet for China’s emerging “fire-to-nuclear” transition.