A drone photo taken on Dec. 6, 2023 shows a view of Shidaowan high temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) nuclear power plant in Rongcheng City, east China's Shandong Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

Nuclear power generation on the Chinese mainland reached 440,000 gigawatt-hours in 2023, accounting for nearly 5 percent of total national electricity output, according to the China Atomic Energy Authority on Tuesday.

This achievement is equivalent to saving 130 million tonnes of standard coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 350 million tonnes.

As of the end of 2023, there were 55 operational nuclear power units and 36 approved or under-construction nuclear power units on the Chinese mainland, with a total installed capacity of 57 gigawatts and 44 gigawatts, respectively.

China has established a self-reliant and comprehensive nuclear industry chain system, ensuring a secure and stable supply of nuclear fuel. With the ability to simultaneously construct multiple nuclear power units, China has also developed expertise in engineering, construction and operation, laying a solid foundation for the high-quality development of nuclear energy, the authority said.

According to the World Association of Nuclear Operators comprehensive index (WANO), China's nuclear power operation safety performance has continuously ranked among the world's best for several years. In 2022 and 2023, 37 and 33 nuclear power units, respectively, achieved the maximum score in WANO's comprehensive index.

The world's first fourth-generation high-temperature gas-cooled reactor, developed by China, has been put into commercial operation, with steady progress in the construction of small modular reactors and fast reactors. Breakthroughs continue to be made in innovative research and the development of nuclear fusion technology.