China plans to build 32 nuclear power plants in the next 15 years. Before 2020, nuclear power plants with a total installed capacity of 40 million kW will be constructed, driving its share in the country's total installed capacity to rise to 4%.

The plan was revealed by Shen Wenquan, deputy head of the China Nuclear Engineering and Construction Group Corp's technology committee in a recent meeting on China-EU energy resources cooperation. At present, China has in operation nine nuclear power generating units, making up 1.59% of the country's total electricity installed capacity, and accounting for 2.3% of the total electricity generated.

The State Council has already given the green light to the establishment of four new nuclear power projects with a total of eight power generating units. They are Qinshan Phase II expansion, Lingdong, Sanmen and Yangjiang nuclear power stations. Although existing nuclear power stations are mainly located along the coast, it is also technically feasible for them to be built in inland areas. In fact, inland provinces such as Sichuan have made applications for the establishment of nuclear power plants and suitable sites have also been reserved.

Shen pointed out that in future, nuclear power stations will be constructed in inland areas. A total of 32 nuclear power plants have been planned for the next 15 years, which means that in effect a nuclear power plant of a scale similar to Daya Bay Nuclear Power Station will be built each year.