China, France to enhance nuclear energy ties

China and France have agreed to deepen civil nuclear energy cooperation, positioning it as a cornerstone for achieving their respective carbon neutrality goals, following French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to the nation last week.

The expanded partnership focuses on cutting-edge technologies, including the joint development of small modular reactors (SMRs), and strengthening crucial collaboration on the nuclear fuel cycle.

The move marks a strategic elevation of the long-standing nuclear relationship between the two nations, which spans decades of successful industrial collaboration, said industry experts and company executives.

Yang Changli, chairman of China General Nuclear Power Group, the country's largest nuclear power plant operator by installed capacity, said the nuclear partnership between China and France has expanded considerably over the past few years, adopting more varied formats and broader areas of cooperation.

CGN started with the joint construction of the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant with France decades ago and then jointly completed the Taishan Nuclear Power Plant using European Pressurized Reactor (EPR) third-generation nuclear technology, creating a celebrated story of China-France nuclear cooperation, Yang said.

The joint declaration on further cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy between the two countries underscores that nuclear power is essential for tackling global challenges like climate change and energy security.

CGN has continuously exported its construction experience to other EPR projects globally, including those in Finland, he said.

According to the joint declaration, the two parties will also step up efforts in artificial intelligence and automation through applying AI, particularly through the digitalization and automation of manufacturing processes in the nuclear sector.

Technological innovation is an essential means of improving the safety and economic viability of nuclear energy, the joint declaration read.

Building on their existing successful collaborations, which include the joint construction and operation of third-generation pressurized water reactors, both sides will now prioritize technological innovation, it said.

Both sides agreed to study the possibility of establishing new joint projects in several key areas including the development of SMRs, which are seen as a crucial next step for flexible, decarbonized power generation.

Industry experts believe the Sino-French nuclear partnership is moving beyond traditional industrial exchange. It is transforming into a strategic alliance focused on next-generation technologies like SMRs and supply chain security, driven by the shared, urgent need to meet massive carbon neutrality targets and secure reliable baseload power in a volatile global energy landscape.

Figures revealed by the National Energy Administration show that China has cemented its position as a world leader in nuclear energy, boasting a total installed capacity exceeding 125 gigawatts and highlighting the nation's "increasingly indispensable role" in the global shift toward clean energy.

China's installed nuclear power capacity now totals an impressive 125.41 GW, including 59 operational units and 53 units currently under construction, said Zeng Yachuan, director of the nuclear power department at the NEA.

This extensive build-out places China firmly at the forefront of the international nuclear landscape, he said.

Zeng noted that global nuclear power generation hit a 10-year high in 2024, with continued strong growth anticipated.

An astounding 43.18 percent of the world's highest-rated nuclear power units originate from China, underscoring the country's pivotal contribution to the sector, he said.

As one of the few nations possessing a complete and independent nuclear power industrial system, China is leveraging its comprehensive capabilities to fuel both domestic expansion and extensive international collaboration.

Ensuring a resilient and sustainable nuclear industrial chain is another critical objective of the renewed partnership.

Yang from CGN noted that the valuable experience gained from China-French cooperation has enabled the company to expand its own international footprint.

By actively integrating into the "Belt and Road Initiative" clean energy ecosystem, CGN has established a presence in 21 countries and regions, including Malaysia and Brazil, operating or constructing nearly 14 million kilowatts of clean energy capacity.