2025 Highlights from the Asian Nuclear Market

Asia’s nuclear energy sector entered 2025 with unprecedented momentum, transforming the region into the world’s fastest-expanding hub for commercial nuclear deployment, policy reform, and technological innovation. Unlike earlier cycles driven by long-term ambition, 2025 marked the beginning of measurable execution: construction approvals accelerated, financing frameworks evolved, and regulatory bodies across multiple jurisdictions demonstrated readiness for advanced reactor licensing.

What distinguishes this year is not simply scale, but strategic intent. Large economies such as China and India anchored growth through domestic programs and long-range capacity targets, while export-oriented players like South Korea strengthened alliances to expand their global footprint. Simultaneously, emerging nuclear markets—including Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines—shifted from exploratory phases to concrete policy, regulatory, and capacity-building commitments.

This diversification of nuclear maturity levels—paired with growing interest in small modular reactors (SMRs), Generation IV designs, and hybrid nuclear financing models—has repositioned Asia as the critical commercial frontier shaping the global nuclear landscape. The following analysis explores ten defining developments that shaped Asia’s nuclear sector in 2025, highlighting the investment signals, technology trends, and geopolitical dynamics driving market transformation across the region

1. China – Major 2025 Milestones and Accelerated Expansion

China continued to lead the global nuclear sector in 2025, driven by centralized planning and unprecedented state investment. A pivotal decision came on April 27, when the State Council approved 10 new reactors across key coastal provinces such as Zhejiang, Guangdong, and Shandong — a program valued at over 200 billion yuan (~$27.45 billion).

Eight of these units will deploy China’s indigenous Hualong One (HPR1000) technology, while two will use the CAP1000, a localized AP1000 variant. Parallel progress advanced existing projects, including Tianwan Phase III and large demonstration builds like the CAP1400.

China’s ability to approve, finance, and mobilize multi-reactor programs within a single planning cycle reinforces its core competitive strength: a state-driven deployment model capable of scaling clean energy faster than Western market-led frameworks.

2. South Korea – Advancing Export Leadership and Strategic Alliances

South Korea strengthened its position as a global nuclear exporter in 2025, advancing high-level partnerships and market access strategies. A pivotal milestone came in January 2025, when Seoul and the U.S. Departments of Energy and State signed a landmark civil nuclear cooperation MOU. This framework supports unified export controls, aligns non-proliferation standards, and provides a structured pathway to resolve long-standing Intellectual Property constraints, enabling Korea to compete more effectively against Russian and Chinese bidders.

Momentum continued in November 2025, when South Korea and the UAE agreed to jointly pursue third-country nuclear projects, leveraging the successful Barakah project. The agreement includes construction, fuel supply, AI-enabled operations, maintenance, and workforce development — a model that could unlock $15+ billion in new contracts. Together, these developments position Korean nuclear technology as a comprehensive geopolitical and commercial offering.

3. India – Policy Reform, Financing Innovation, and Accelerated Growth

India advanced its nuclear roadmap in 2025 through major financial commitments and structural reforms designed to accelerate deployment and unlock private investment. The Union Budget 2025–26 formally launched the Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat, allocating Rs. 20,000 crore (~$2.5 billion) for SMR R&D with a target of developing five indigenous SMRs by 2033. This initiative reinforces India’s long-term ambition of 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047.

To enable scale, plans were initiated to amend the Atomic Energy Act (1962) and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (2010) — a shift aimed at reducing legislative barriers and improving investor confidence. India also introduced a structured PPP deployment framework for 220 MW Bharat Small Reactors, where private entities provide land, capital, and water, while NPCIL retains responsibility for technology, standards, and plant operation — a model that blends private financing with sovereign oversight.

4. Japan – Major Nuclear-Sector Actions and Progress in 2025

Japan’s nuclear direction in 2025 was marked by a clear policy shift prioritizing full utilization of its existing fleet rather than pursuing new builds. In February, the government approved the 7th Strategic Energy Plan (SEP), formally committing to making “maximum use of nuclear power” and setting a target for nuclear to supply 20% of electricity generation by FY 2040.

Progress on the ground aligned with this commitment. By the end of 2025, 14 reactors were restarted and in commercial operation, each having undergone post-Fukushima regulatory compliance and extensive safety upgrades. Although the SEP targets remain ambitious—with analysts noting they are only achievable under maximum-effort circumstances—the policy framework clearly signals priority toward life-extension, optimized operations, and utilization efficiency, rather than large-scale new reactor deployment.

Japan also strengthened the supply-chain security dimension of its nuclear strategy. In October, it signed the United States–Japan Framework for Securing the Supply of Critical Minerals and Rare Earths, a move aimed at diversification and resilience against geopolitical and market risks. This agreement is particularly relevant for advanced nuclear components and the broader clean energy ecosystem. Together, these developments define a conservative yet firm approach focused on reliability, safety, and strategic self-sufficiency.

5. Kazakhstan – Major Nuclear-Related Moves and Decisions in 2025

Kazakhstan, despite supplying nearly 40% of the world’s uranium, entered a new strategic phase in 2025 by committing to build its first commercial nuclear power plant. After decades of supporting the global nuclear fuel cycle without a domestic reactor fleet, the government formalized its decision to pursue nuclear power as part of its long-term energy diversification and decarbonization strategy.

In a landmark announcement, Kazakhstan confirmed that Rosatom will lead an international consortium for the project. The Kazakhstan Atomic Energy Agency (KAEA) stated the decision followed an “open and competitive” evaluation involving China’s CNNC, France’s EDF, and South Korea’s KHNP, with Rosatom’s proposal ranked as “the most optimal and advantageous.”

The plant—known as the Balkhash Nuclear Power Project—will be located in the Zhambyl district near Ulken, approximately 350 km northwest of Almaty on the shores of Lake Balkhash. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2029, marking a decisive progression from Kazakhstan’s role as the world’s uranium supplier to becoming a nuclear-generating nation.

6. Uzbekistan – Key Nuclear Energy Developments and Trends in 2025

Uzbekistan advanced its nuclear roadmap in 2025 with a strategic and technically forward-looking agreement with Rosatom, confirming a revised deployment plan on September 26, 2025. The updated strategy formalizes the construction of a major nuclear complex at the Farish site, incorporating two VVER-1000 reactors alongside two RITM-200N small modular reactors (SMRs).

This marks the first hybrid nuclear deployment model in Central Asia, where large-scale reactors and SMRs will operate within the same facility. The decision reflects Uzbekistan’s evolving energy requirements, driven by growing industrial demand and the nation’s aspiration to achieve high middle-income status by 2030. The dual-reactor configuration is designed to balance reliability and flexibility: the VVER-1000 units will provide steady baseload output essential for industrial expansion, while the RITM-200N SMRs will strengthen grid stability and enable adaptive scaling. This structure supports Uzbekistan’s long-term objective of alleviating chronic supply shortages while building a resilient, future-ready energy system aligned with economic modernization.

7. Indonesia – Key Nuclear Developments and Policy Direction in 2025

Indonesia delivered clear long-term intent in 2025 by formally integrating nuclear energy into national energy planning frameworks. The Electricity Supply Business Plan (RUPTL) 2025–2034, released on May 26, 2025, recognizes nuclear power as a clean, stable baseload source essential to meeting the country’s net-zero emissions target by 2060. Under this plan, Indonesia set an initial deployment goal of 500 MW, consisting of two small modular reactor (SMR) units designated to support the Sumatra and Kalimantan grids, with commissioning no later than 2034.

In addition to establishing foundational deployment pathways, Indonesia signaled readiness to adopt next-generation nuclear systems. In July 2025, the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (BAPETEN) approved the Site Evaluation Plan (PET) for an advanced molten salt reactor (MSR) project on Kelasa Island in the Bangka Belitung archipelago. This regulatory milestone reflects a deliberate strategy to leapfrog traditional large reactor designs, positioning advanced SMRs as the preferred model suited to Indonesia’s distributed, island-based grid architecture and enabling stronger investor confidence in fourth-generation nuclear development.

8. Philippines – Significant 2025 Updates and Sector Progress

The Philippines advanced nuclear readiness in 2025 by establishing clearer regulatory and investment conditions. On 2 October, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin issued a Department of Energy  (DOE) circular formally creating the policy framework for the nation’s first privately developed and operated nuclear project, designated as the Pioneer NPP. The framework grants priority dispatch, long-term contracting options, and investment incentives, positioning the plant as a baseload facility regardless of reactor technology and coordinated with the System Operator and Independent Market Operator.

This move builds on the March 2022 executive order that endorsed nuclear energy as part of the national power mix. The Philippines targets its first operating plants by 2032 with 1,200 MW of initial capacity, scaling to 2,400 MW in 2035, and 4,800 MW by 2050 to enhance long-term energy security.

9. Vietnam – Notable 2025 Policy Actions and Program Progress

Vietnam advanced decisively in 2025 by passing a new Atomic Energy Law on June 27—effective January 1, 2026—officially designating nuclear power as a national strategic priority. The legislation endorses next-generation reactors and SMRs, mandates full alignment with IAEA standards, and establishes licensing and oversight clarity. This regulatory certainty significantly lowers investment and political risk, particularly for companies operating under the existing U.S.–Vietnam Section 123 Agreement.

Complementing the legal reform, Power Development Plan 8 (PDP8) confirmed a nuclear capacity target of 4–6.4 GW by 2030–2035. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also authorized the release of 2025 contingency funds for early-stage work at Ninh Thuan, demonstrating program activation. Collectively, these measures confirm Vietnam has moved beyond intent and is now positioned for competitive SMR tendering.

10. Asian Development Bank (ADB) – Key 2025 Nuclear Financing Signals

In 2025, the Asian Development Bank initiated a landmark review of its 2021 Energy Policy, with internal and external consultations shaping a final draft expected for Board consideration very soon. The turning point came in October 2025, when ADB President Masato Kanda announced the institution’s readiness to support nuclear power—the first such signal in its 60-year history. Speaking at the STS Forum in Kyoto, he positioned nuclear as a credible pathway for members transitioning from coal and gas, emphasizing the bank’s role in making nuclear “safe, trusted, and investable.”

Despite this shift, financing remains conditional. Drafts highlight unresolved challenges—proliferation, safety, waste, and high capital costs. Early support is expected to prioritize advanced SMRs and ASEAN markets with strong regulatory maturity.

Moving Forward

Asia’s trajectory in 2025 made one reality unmistakable: the region is no longer a future possibility for nuclear investment — it is now the world’s primary growth arena. Major economies continued scaling construction and export capability, while Southeast Asia emerged as the newest competitive frontier. The region’s nuclear capacity target is projected to reach 8.5 GW by 2037, supported by an estimated USD 84.15 billion in initial investment and a recurring annual market opportunity valued at USD 9.2 billion. By 2050, this target is expected to exceed 20 GW, positioning Southeast Asia as a high-value hub for SMR deployment, supply chain development, and long-term service agreements.

For investors, technology vendors, operators, and financial institutions, the year ahead will not simply be about watching this momentum — but entering it early. With policy alignment accelerating and financing frameworks strengthening, 2026 is poised to become a decisive year for securing commercial advantage across Asia’s rapidly maturing nuclear landscape.