Russia to build new nuclear power units in China

Moscow and Beijing may sign agreements to build two more nuclear power units in China, according to Russia’s state nuclear power corporation Rosatom.

“We’ve signed new intergovernmental accords with our Chinese partners for construction of the sixth and seventh Tianwan units and on provision of a new site for us,” said Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev at the meeting with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

He added that “at least two more units will become the subject of separate agreements between us and the People’s Republic of China.”

Rosatom and China’s National Energy Administration are expected to launch the seventh and eighth 1,200-megawatt units of the Tianwan nuclear power plant in 2026 and 2027, respectively. 

Rosatom accounts for two thirds of the world’s combined intergovernmental nuclear power plants accords. “As of today, we have 35 nuclear power units contracted as parts of intergovernmental accords, and it accounts for 67 percent of the world’s combined foreign construction,” Likhachev said.

Russia and China have been strengthening ties in the nuclear energy sector. While meeting with China's President Xi Jinping last month President Vladimir Putin said energy is the key sector of cooperation. “Russia remains the largest supplier of fuel to the Chinese market. Last year, we supplied more than 50 million tons of oil. By April, this number increased by another 26 percent,” said the Russian president.

The two countries are also working together on One Belt, One Road initiative. Trade between Moscow and Beijing has grown 31 percent this year and is projected to reach the $100 billion target.

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