'A power bank for the AI era': China begins testing miniature, truck-mounted 10MW nuclear reactor designed to sustain massive data centers for decades without refueling while promising to make traditional dirty coal and diesel generators entirely obsolete

Date:
Thu, 30 Apr 2026 17:35:00 +0000

Description:
Truck-mounted nuclear power bank enters testing as China explores portable reactors capable of running AI data centers.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter China testing mobile nuclear reactor capable of powering AI data centers Prototype truck-mounted reactor built for decades of operation without refueling Portable 10MW nuclear unit targets remote power supply and AI workloads China is testing a nuclear reactor small enough to ride on a truck, a project that scientists say could help solve the rising electricity demand driven by artificial intelligence systems.

The South China Morning Post reports the reactor is the worlds first 10MW vehicle-mounted nuclear power unit, developed over several years and now moving toward real-world use. The output is enough to power a medium-sized AI data center, where uninterrupted electricity is essential. Article continues below You may like Antimatter plans global AI network with 1,000 micro data centers by 2030 How wave-powered ocean platforms could meet AI data center energy demands Microsoft and Nvidia team up to use AI to reduce nuclear project bottlenecks Servicing unavailable or unreliable grid areas Wu Yican, chief scientific adviser to the Institute of Nuclear Energy Safety Technology at the Hefei Institute of Physical Science, told Science and Technology Daily , The nuclear power bank we proposed exemplifies the new generation of
nuclear energy systems. This technology offers exceptional safety in a remarkably compact size and an operational lifespan of decades without recharging.

Mobility is central to the concept, since the reactor can be transported by truck to areas where traditional grid connections are unavailable or unreliable.

It offers a solution to battery anxiety in different applications, including providing power for remote regions and islands, delivering emergency backup power in special environments, propelling ships, powering space systems and supporting AI computing and data centers, Wu said.

He explained next-generation nuclear systems should be built around safety
and adaptability. They should be approachable, flexible and intelligent, enabling them to meet the futures diverse energy needs, Wu said. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting
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Interest in portable nuclear systems is increasing as AI computing continues expanding, pushing power requirements far beyond what many existing grids
were built to handle.

SCMP says China currently operates 59 commercial nuclear units producing 467.7 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, accounting for 4.82 percent of national demand and placing it second globally behind the United States.

Tech companies have been moving toward nuclear power as data center electricity demand keeps climbing. What to read next Shocking emissions stats revealed for 11 planned AI data centers in the US 'We have this power from
the wind. We have free cooling': This startup wants to build underwater data centers inside wind turbines at sea - using the icy North Sea waters to keep everything cool China buys an army of civilian robots as Americas electricity grid creaks

Amazon plans to develop 12 small modular nuclear reactors with nearly 1GW of combined output, while Google is building a small reactor in Tennessee to supply its facilities. Amazon, Meta, Google , and Microsoft have all joined the World Nuclear Association.

Microsoft has also pushed into legacy infrastructure, with involvement in restarting the Three Mile Island nuclear plant , while smaller systems such
as Westinghouses eVinci microreactor are being developed to deliver about 5MW for up to 100 months without refueling.

Wu also discussed nuclear technology beyond power generation, noting its growing role in medicine where radioactive molecules are used to evaluate bodily functions and diagnose and treat diseases including cancer.

More than 5 million people in China are diagnosed with cancer each year,
which adds pressure to expand medical tools that rely on nuclear research and production capacity.

If nuclear technology could help improve treatments it could bring immeasurable social and economic value, Wu said. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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