"China is establishing itself as a global leader in nuclear energy. It is currently operating a total of 61 nuclear power plants and building 35 more. More than half of the plants under construction worldwide are in China. China has approved more than 10 new plants every year, and continued new approvals are expected." (Gaofeng Zhao, deputy director, China Nuclear Energy Association)
"We are pushing to restart the Palisades nuclear plant in Michigan. It is the first commercial reactor seeking restart after closure in 2022, a historic project carried out in close collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy. In addition, we will lead the next-generation nuclear market through the development of the SMR-300." (Haijun Fan, executive director, Holtec International)
At the "2026 Korea Atomic Energy Annual Conference and Pacific Rim Nuclear Conference" held on the 22nd at the Busan Exhibition & Convention Center (BEXCO) in Busan, the first session on "strategies and experiences in new nuclear plant construction" featured presenters introducing the state of the nuclear industries in their respective countries in turn. The session was chaired by Lee Hee-yong, co-CEO of Jaeil Partners.
Deputy Director Gaofeng Zhao emphasized that China has become the world's largest nuclear plant builder and introduced a state-led management model. He said China's nuclear industry is expanding beyond mere power generation to fourth-generation reactors such as SMRs and high-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTR). He added that China is diversifying nuclear applications by using industrial steam, including for district heating.
He said, "China is shifting the paradigm with real-time safety risk assessment using artificial intelligence (AI) and smart construction systems," adding, "Through such standardization and management innovation, we are achieving shorter construction periods and expense reductions."
Executive Director Haijun Fan introduced Holtec International as an integrated technology corporations covering the entire cycle from nuclear design, manufacturing, operation, and decommissioning to used fuel management. Holtec International is partnering with Hyundai Engineering & Construction on SMR-300 development. He cited passive safety systems, a modular structure, and a simplified cooling system as advantages of the SMR-300.
Fan said, "Through our strategic partnership with Hyundai Engineering & Construction, we are proceeding smoothly with the U.S. licensing process and are targeting commercial operation in 2030."
The status of the Dukovany Units 5 and 6, a new nuclear project in the Czech Republic being built by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP), was also introduced. Petr Závodský, president of EDU II, described the Czech terrain and said, "Because of our geographic characteristic as a landlocked country, transporting large equipment needed to build nuclear plants is difficult, and with no nearby water, a hybrid cooling system must also be designed separately," 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. For Dukovany Units 5 and 6, the Czech government is ensuring liquidity and profitability of the project through a 40-year long-term contract and state loans. It is also streamlining entry visas and work permits, optimizing construction regulations, and supporting nuclear workforce training programs.
In response, Jang Hyun-seung, head of the Czech Nuclear Project Office at Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP), said, "Since signing the construction contract for Dukovany Units 5 and 6, we have been executing the project faithfully and closely," adding, "We will do our best to make this a best-case example in the global nuclear industry through cooperation between the two countries."