From Coal to Atom: China’s Blueprint for Repurposing Power Plants

Chinese scientists have published a rigorous new analysis in the journal Engineering that examines the technical and economic feasibility of converting coal-fired power plants to nuclear energy as a cornerstone of China’s electricity system decarbonisation. The study, led by Daiwei Li and colleagues, models how coal-to-nuclear (C2N) conversion could repurpose existing grid infrastructure, skilled workforces, and plant sites to accelerate the retirement of fossil fuel assets without stranding critical power generation capacity.

The research arrives at a pivotal moment. China operates more than 1,000 coal power units, and the country has announced ambitious targets to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2060. Rather than demolishing these sites entirely, the authors argue that a managed transition to nuclear—leveraging existing transmission lines, cooling systems, and land rights—could cut transition costs by billions of yuan while maintaining baseload power stability. Their modelling accounts for reactor type, site geography, economic incentives, and regulatory pathways specific to the Chinese context.

For global professionals watching China’s energy pivot, the study offers something rare: a data-driven roadmap rather than a policy wishlist. It suggests that the most carbon-intensive economies may not need to choose between decarbonisation and energy security if they are willing to repurpose, not replace, their thermal power assets. The strategic significance extends beyond China—many coal-dependent nations in Southeast Asia and South Asia face similar infrastructure challenges and could draw on this analytical framework.

Why it matters:
The findings give energy investors and grid operators a practical, cost-competitive alternative to outright coal plant retirement. They also signal that Chinese nuclear engineering is positioning itself as a global solution for coal phase-down, potentially opening new export markets for reactor technology and repurposing expertise.

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