The US is 10 to 15 years behind China on developing next-generation nuclear power reactors as Beijing’s state-backed technology approach and extensive low-cost financing give it the edge, a report released on Sunday said.

China has 27 commercial nuclear reactors under development*, with the average reactor taking seven years to come online – far faster than for most other countries, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation said in the report.

According to the report, Beijing is intending to build 150 new nuclear reactors between 2020 and 2035.

The report said that although China built upon a foreign base of technology, it has become the world’s leading proponent of nuclear energy.