The United States is lagging behind China by up to 15 years in the development of high-tech nuclear power, according to a recent report by the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, a nonpartisan research institute based in Washington.
China’s state-backed approach and extensive financing have given it a significant edge, says the study.
China is currently constructing 27 nuclear reactors, with average completion times of about seven years, significantly faster than other countries.
“China’s rapid deployment of increasingly modern nuclear power plants results in substantial scale economies and learning-by-doing effects, suggesting that Chinese enterprises will gain an advantage in incremental innovation in this sector,” the report states.
Despite having the world’s largest fleet of nuclear power plants, the U.S. is not currently building any new reactors.
The last two large plants in Georgia, which came online in 2023 and 2024, were billions of dollars over budget and significantly delayed. Additionally, a high-tech plant planned for construction at a U.S. lab was canceled last year.
According to Reuters, China’s state-owned banks provide loans with interest rates as low as 1.4%, much lower than those available in Western economies.
Sustained state support and localization strategies have allowed China to dominate in various sectors, including renewable power and electric vehicles.
China also boasts the world’s first fourth-generation high-temperature gas-cooled reactor, which started operating at Shidao Bay last December.
The China Nuclear Energy Association reported that this project involved the development of over 2,200 sets of “world-first equipment,” with a localization rate of 93.4% for domestically produced materials.
Supporters of high-tech reactors argue they are safer and more efficient than existing plants, though critics warn they may introduce proliferation and material risks.
However, China’s progress has not been entirely smooth. The China Nuclear Energy Association has noted a severe surplus in nuclear component production, with “excessive competition” driving down prices and causing financial losses.
Stephen Ezell, the report’s author, suggests that the U.S. should develop a robust national strategy to catch up, which includes more investment in research and development, accelerating promising technologies, and supporting the development of a skilled workforce.
“While America is behind, it can certainly catch up technologically,” Ezell said.
