Why China is betting on big nuclear reactors

China is rapidly expanding its nuclear power capacity, having nearly doubled its fleet since 2016 to reach approximately 60 gigawatts. The new facilities predominantly consist of gigawatt-scale pressurized-water reactors. In contrast, the United States has commissioned only two new reactors, Units 3 and 4 at Plant Vogtle in Georgia, during the same period. Despite this, there is significant global interest and investment in smaller, modular nuclear reactors, with a microreactor developer recently achieving criticality in a Department of Energy pilot program. The global push for nuclear power is driven by the need to meet rising electricity demand and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. While the US and France historically led the nuclear industry, with the US possessing the largest fleet and France relying on nuclear for about two-thirds of its power, both nations have added few new reactors recently. France connected its latest reactor in December 2024, its first in over two decades, and the US's Vogtle project represents its recent additions. The construction of large-scale nuclear projects is challenging due to substantial upfront investments, often in the billions, with long payback periods, and complex designs that can lead to cost and time overruns during regulatory processes. Proponents of smaller reactors believe that a reduced footprint can lower initial investment costs and facilitate factory production, potentially accelerating deployment.