Useful analysis. There is a piece missing : China identifying a strategic interest in becoming an electro-state to reduce its dependence on imported hydrocarbons. There is a helpful alignment between moving to renewables + batteries + nuclear to run the domestic economy ( and so reduced exposure to the risk of foreign powers cutting off oil and gas supplies) and achieving unrivalled scale economies in sectors that are seeing rising global demand. Delivers progress towards target outcomes for security, economy and climate change mitigation.
I enjoyed this article so much that it ended too soon! I was expecting you to get into why the APR1400 specifically would be a good reactor design to favour, or what British biotech regulation should copy from China.
I think the relative size of Chinese industrial subsidies relative to other East Asian economies is understated. The IMF estimated these to cost ~4% of GDP in China, which I believe is much higher than it was for Korea/Japan/Taiwan at equivalent stages of development.
The BYD Qin Hybrid really does bear looking at. Not only does its 65 litre capacity tank allow for a range of 2,000 km, but the Qin Hybrid doesn't differ much in terms of carbon cost over the course of it's lifetime, without tariffs or green penalties it's incredibly cost-competitive with ICE vehicles, it has great value retention by comparison to European pure EVs.
Most importantly, using the Qin hybrid as a model only requires a 57% increase in UK energy generation, compared to 118% for a full shift to EVs.
Our government seems to think that there is room for greater household energy efficiency. There isn't when one considers that anyone advising people to reduce their home temperature below 18°C should instantly be charged and convicted for Corporate Manslaughter and/or Misconduct in Public Office.
Useful analysis. There is a piece missing : China identifying a strategic interest in becoming an electro-state to reduce its dependence on imported hydrocarbons. There is a helpful alignment between moving to renewables + batteries + nuclear to run the domestic economy ( and so reduced exposure to the risk of foreign powers cutting off oil and gas supplies) and achieving unrivalled scale economies in sectors that are seeing rising global demand. Delivers progress towards target outcomes for security, economy and climate change mitigation.
I enjoyed this article so much that it ended too soon! I was expecting you to get into why the APR1400 specifically would be a good reactor design to favour, or what British biotech regulation should copy from China.
Thanks, I enjoyed this a lot.
I think the relative size of Chinese industrial subsidies relative to other East Asian economies is understated. The IMF estimated these to cost ~4% of GDP in China, which I believe is much higher than it was for Korea/Japan/Taiwan at equivalent stages of development.
https://www.imf.org/-/media/files/publications/wp/2025/english/wpiea2025155-source-pdf.pdf
The BYD Qin Hybrid really does bear looking at. Not only does its 65 litre capacity tank allow for a range of 2,000 km, but the Qin Hybrid doesn't differ much in terms of carbon cost over the course of it's lifetime, without tariffs or green penalties it's incredibly cost-competitive with ICE vehicles, it has great value retention by comparison to European pure EVs.
Most importantly, using the Qin hybrid as a model only requires a 57% increase in UK energy generation, compared to 118% for a full shift to EVs.
Our government seems to think that there is room for greater household energy efficiency. There isn't when one considers that anyone advising people to reduce their home temperature below 18°C should instantly be charged and convicted for Corporate Manslaughter and/or Misconduct in Public Office.