"China is establishing itself as a global leader in nuclear power. It is currently operating a total of 61 nuclear reactors and building 35. More than half of the reactors under construction worldwide are in China. China has more than 10 new reactors approved every year, and continued new approvals are expected going forward." (Gaofeng Zhao, deputy director of the China Nuclear Energy Association)
"We are pushing to restart the Palisades nuclear power plant in Michigan in the United States. It is the first commercial nuclear plant seeking restart after closure in 2022, a historic project carried out in close cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy. In addition, we will lead the next-generation nuclear market through development of the SMR-300." (Haijun Pan, executive director of Holtec International)
At the 2026 Korea Nuclear Annual Conference held on the 22nd at the Busan Exhibition & Convention Center (BEXCO) in Busan, the first session on the theme of "strategies and experiences in new nuclear plant construction" featured presenters from each country introducing the status of their national nuclear industries in turn. The session was chaired by co-CEO Lee Hee-yong of Jaeil Partners.
Deputy Director Gaofeng Zhao emphasized that China has become the world's largest builder of nuclear plants and introduced a state-led management model. He said China's nuclear industry is expanding beyond simple power generation into fourth-generation reactors such as SMRs and high-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTR). He added that the country is diversifying nuclear applications by using industrial steam for district heating and other purposes.
He said, "China is shifting the paradigm with real-time safety risk identification using artificial intelligence (AI) and smart construction systems," adding, "Through such standardization and management innovation, we are achieving shorter construction timelines and expense reductions."
Executive Director Haijun Pan introduced Holtec International as an integrated technology corporations that handles the entire lifecycle from nuclear plant design, manufacturing, operation, and decommissioning to spent fuel management. Holtec International is partnering with Hyundai Engineering & Construction on SMR-300 development. He cited passive safety systems, modular architecture, and simplified cooling systems as advantages of the SMR-300.
Pan said, "Through our strategic partnership with Hyundai Engineering & Construction, we are proceeding with the U.S. licensing process without setbacks, with a goal of commercial operation in 2030."
The status of Dukovany Units 5 and 6, new reactors under construction by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP) in the Czech Republic, was also presented. Petr Závodský, president of EDU II, explained the Czech terrain and said, "As a landlocked country, it is difficult to transport large equipment needed to build nuclear plants, and because there is no nearby water, we also have to design a hybrid cooling system," adding, "We are jointly solving complex engineering challenges with Korea."
Tomáš Ehler, Deputy Minister for nuclear energy and new technologies at the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade, emphasized that the government is fully supporting new nuclear construction. The Czech government is ensuring the project's liquidity and profitability for Dukovany Units 5 and 6 through a 40-year long-term contract and state loans. It is also pursuing measures such as simplifying entry visas and work permits for the Czech Republic, optimizing construction regulations, and supporting nuclear workforce education programs.
In response, Jang Hyun-seung, head of the Czech nuclear project division at Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP), said, "Since signing the construction contract for Dukovany Units 5 and 6, we have been implementing the project diligently and closely," adding, "We will do our utmost to make this a best-case example in the global nuclear industry through cooperation between the two countries."