China nuclear-plant surge may generate U.S. interest

Within weeks, the Chinese government is expected to announce an $8 billion nuclear-reactor order that is just the beginning of a commercial bonanza the beleaguered nuclear industry has long craved.

Straining to keep pace with soaring electricity demand, China plans to spend a staggering 400 billion yuan – nearly $50 billion – on nuclear energy by 2020, according to Kang Rixin, president of China National Nuclear Corp. That would add roughly 30 new power plants to the 11 reactors China already operates or is building.