China confidently surpasses the US in total electric capacity, reaching a record 3.75 terawatts compared to 1.30 terawatts in the US. This gap reflects the scale of the government’s strategy to expand generation and infrastructure, evident in rapid construction and major investments across various energy sources. Over the past eight years, China’s capacity has doubled, making it the largest energy powerhouse by installed capacity.
China's Energy Supremacy
China’s total installed capacity of 3.75 TW is nearly three times that of the US’s 1.30 TW, highlighting the difference in energy generation scale. Capacity growth has been rapid: in 2024 alone, 429 gigawatts of new capacity were added, and over eight years, the total installed capacity doubled.
These changes indicate the country’s industrial and economic potential, as energy consumption closely correlates with production volume. It is important to note that the US energy mix differs structurally, with natural gas and coal still playing significant roles.
Development of Renewable Energy Sources
Of the 429 GW added in 2024, approximately 83% came from renewables—mainly wind and solar power. This growth profile shows that as China expands total capacity, it prioritizes clean energy sources rather than relying solely on traditional generators.
The increase in renewables enhances grid flexibility and reduces dependence on fossil fuels within new capacity additions, whereas in the US, natural gas and coal still constitute a significant share of total installed capacity.
China's Nuclear Energy
China is constructing 34 nuclear reactors—more than the next nine countries combined—and by the end of 2024, there were 102 nuclear reactors in the country: operating, under construction, or approved, with a total installed capacity of 113 million kilowatts. Over the past decade, China added more than 34 GW of nuclear capacity, bringing the number of operating reactors to 55 with a net capacity of 53.2 GW (April 2024).
In terms of operating units, China has already surpassed France (58 vs. 56), and in April 2025, the government approved construction of 10 more reactors across five major projects totaling over 200 billion yuan. By comparison, the US operates 94 reactors totaling about 97 GW, but currently has no new large commercial reactors under construction.
Technological Achievements and Innovations
By the end of 2024, China achieved 100% domestic production of key main equipment for nuclear power plants, reducing import dependence and strengthening technological autonomy. Beyond construction scale, this gives China advantages in lowering costs and project timelines.
Reactor construction in China takes about five years at a cost of roughly $2.7 billion per unit, whereas Western projects often cost significantly more. In December 2023, the world’s first fourth-generation reactor HTR-PM at the Shidao Bay nuclear power plant entered commercial operation, and China is developing other fourth-generation designs, including high-temperature gas-cooled and molten salt reactors.
Forecasts and the Future of China’s Energy
According to the China Nuclear Energy Association, the country’s installed nuclear capacity could grow to 200 GW by 2040, more than double the current US capacity. The combination of government support, large-scale construction, and technological innovation positions China as a key player in the global energy transition.
Analyses and studies indicate that about half of the 61 nuclear reactors under construction worldwide are concentrated in China, further strengthening its role in global supply and technology development.
Why This Matters
For miners in Russia, the scale and speed of China’s capacity expansion primarily affect global trends in energy availability and mining equipment. While direct impact on local tariffs or grid stability may be indirect, it is important to monitor changes in supply chains and competition for components.
Whether managing one or a thousand machines, China’s generation growth and local production of key components could mean more stable equipment supplies and potential shifts in power and equipment pricing on the global market. Additionally, changes in generation distribution influence global energy flows and investment priorities, ultimately affecting mining infrastructure.
What to Do?
- Review your electricity expenses and contract terms: recalculate profitability under different tariffs and seasonal loads.
- Assess local grid stability and power backup options, especially if you operate a large machine cluster.
- Monitor equipment supply and delivery timelines: growing production in China impacts component markets and prices.
- Diversify risks: use multiple procurement channels and consider hybrid deployment schemes (home and data centers).
If you are interested in mining trends within China and reasons for increased activity, see the article on China’s share in mining and the article on reasons for miners’ activity growth in 2025. For an analysis of risks in the Russian market, our note on electricity shortages in Russia discusses local factors affecting mining.