China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC): A Pillar of Nuclear Innovation and Global Influence
China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) is China’s preeminent state-owned nuclear enterprise, founded in 1955 and headquartered in Beijing. Overseeing both civilian and military nuclear programs, CNNC is central to China’s nuclear technology industry, national security, and the country’s ambitious nuclear energy expansion.
Comprehensive Nuclear Capabilities
CNNC manages the full nuclear energy lifecycle, including uranium exploration and mining, fuel fabrication, reactor design and construction, power generation, spent fuel reprocessing, and nuclear waste disposal.
The corporation has a vast industrial footprint, with more than 200 subordinate enterprises and research institutes, and a workforce exceeding 180,000 employees as of 2023.
CNNC operates 22 nuclear power units and has several more under construction, generating over 130 billion kilowatt-hours annually.
Technological Leadership
CNNC has developed and commercialized advanced reactor technologies, most notably the Hualong One (HPR1000), a third-generation pressurized water reactor with a 60-year design life and a utilization rate as high as 90%. Hualong One features a high degree of domestic content (85%) and meets top international safety standards.
The company is at the forefront of small modular reactor (SMR) innovation with the ACP100 "Linglong One," the world’s first SMR project to pass an International Atomic Energy Agency safety review. The ACP100 is designed for versatile applications, including electricity, heating, and desalination.
CNNC is also advancing fourth-generation technologies such as high-temperature gas-cooled reactors and is actively engaged in nuclear fusion research.
Safety and Operational Excellence
CNNC maintains an impressive safety record, with no nuclear safety incidents above level 2 in nearly 60 years, and rigorous protocols for nuclear material management, emergency response, and environmental protection.
The corporation’s safety systems and management practices are internationally recognized and continuously updated to meet evolving standards.
Global Reach and Export Strategy
CNNC is the only Chinese company to have exported its nuclear power technology, delivering nuclear power units and research reactors to seven countries.
The company is deeply involved in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, aiming to build up to 30 nuclear reactors in partner countries by 2030.
CNNC’s Hualong One reactor has become the flagship for Chinese nuclear exports, with ongoing projects and proposals in multiple international markets.
Strategic and Economic Significance
With 2023 revenues of $39.6 billion and assets of $188.6 billion, CNNC is a financial powerhouse.
The company’s integrated approach-spanning R&D, engineering, fuel supply, and project management-positions it as a leader in both domestic and global nuclear sectors.
CNNC’s blend of technological innovation, operational excellence, and global vision makes it a cornerstone of China’s energy and strategic ambitions. As a developer of advanced reactors, a champion of nuclear safety, and a key exporter of nuclear technology, CNNC is set to play a defining role in the future of clean, reliable, and secure energy worldwide.