"Loss of technological leadership": TNI analyst explained the threat to the US from cooperation between Russia and China in nuclear energy

Rosatom is building power units at the "Xudapu" and "Tianwan" NPPs in China

The United States must start building new nuclear power plants (NPPs) if they want to maintain leadership in nuclear energy. This opinion was expressed by The National Interest's energy expert Emily Day, commenting on Rosatom head Alexei Likhachev's statement about Russia's assistance to China.

"Atommash" shipped a reactor and four steam generators for the third power unit of the "Xudapu" NPP under construction in China
Image source Rosatom

China has grandiose plans for the development of nuclear energy. The task is to catch up with and overtake the United States in terms of installed capacity, which means reaching a capacity of more than 100 gigawatts.

Alexei Likhachev, head of Rosatom

According to Likhachev, Rosatom has built"four and is building another four nuclear reactors with a capacity of more than one gigawatt" in China.

Day stated that the United States currently operates one of the largest NPP networks with an installed capacity of 97 GW. However, only 2 new reactors have appeared in the States since 2015.

China, on the other hand, has built 35 new reactors during this time. Beijing needs a large amount of uranium. But Russia plans to develop a closed nuclear fuel cycle and help China process spent fuel.

Emily Day, energy expert

The machine-building plant in Volgodonsk shipped three steam generators for power unit No. 4 of the "Xudapu" NPP (China)
Image source Rosatom

If Washington hopes to maintain leadership in the nuclear field, it must take measures to expand the construction of new NPPs. Failure to compete with China and Russia threatens the loss of technological leadership and geopolitical influence in one of the most strategically important energy markets.

Emily Day, energy expert

As of February 2025, there are 57 industrial nuclear reactors operating in China. Rosatom is involved in construction at the "Xudapu" and "Tianwan" NPP sites.