China Pioneers Coal-to-Nuclear Transition for Cleaner Energy by 2060

In October 2025, China is embarking on a groundbreaking plan to transition away from coal power by converting existing plants into nuclear reactors. The country is leveraging innovative "meltdown-proof" reactor designs that can utilize the infrastructure already in place at coal plants to link them to the power grid.

This ambitious move serves multiple purposes. First, it will shut down the vast majority of China's coal-powered energy plants, which currently account for 30% of the country's total energy output. Secondly, it will exponentially increase China's clean energy production, as nuclear power is a far more environmentally-friendly source compared to coal.

Coal is one of the dirtiest energy sources, pumping carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and heavy metals into the atmosphere. China's plan to replace these polluting plants with advanced nuclear reactors is a critical step in the nation's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060.

The key to this transition lies in China's unique reactor technology, including high-temperature gas reactors and molten salt thorium reactors. These designs require less land than traditional nuclear plants due to their enhanced safety features and can generate the high-temperature heat needed to power the massive coal plant turbines. The plan also incorporates flexibility, allowing for future shifts to even more advanced nuclear fusion technology as it becomes available.

China has been aggressively pursuing a variety of clean energy sources, from solar to nuclear fusion research. This coal-to-nuclear transition represents a bold and innovative approach that could serve as a model for other nations seeking to reduce their reliance on polluting fossil fuels.