Advanced Nuclear Energy Development Scenario Study

Nuclear energy is a safe, economical and efficient clean low-carbon energy resource. Its safety and large-scale development of nuclear energy are of great significance for optimizing the energy structure and promoting green and low-carbon development. They are also an essential requirement for ensuring national energy security and a strong support for China to achieve the goal of carbon peak and carbon neutralization. The large-scale and sustainable development of nuclear energy faces two major challenges: the supply of uranium resources and the treatment and disposal of radioactive waste. In order to maximize the utilization of natural uranium resources, reduce the total amount of long-lived waste and achieve the long-term sustainable development of nuclear fission energy, fast reactor and its advanced closed nuclear fuel cycle are the preferred technical route. Based on the current development pattern and future development prospect of nuclear power in China, an advanced nuclear energy development scenario featuring the coordinated development of pressurized water reactors and fast reactors was mapped out in this paper.