Hualong One nuclear tech gains ground

Construction of the No 1 reactor at the Jinqimen nuclear power plant in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, began on Sunday with the pouring of concrete for the nuclear island, marking a significant step forward for China's Hualong One nuclear technology, said its operator China National Nuclear Corp.

The Jinqimen No 1 reactor, designed for a 60-year operational lifespan, is part of a larger project planned to include six 1 million-kilowatt nuclear reactors, it said.

Once fully completed, the plant is expected to generate 55 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, equivalent to half of Ningbo's total electricity consumption in 2024.This output is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 45 million metric tons per year.

Hualong One is China's third-generation nuclear power technology with full proprietary intellectual property rights. It is also one of the most widely accepted series of third-generation nuclear power reactors in the world.

According to CNNC, to date, there are 41 Hualong One reactors either under construction or in operation globally, making it the most numerous third-generation nuclear technology in terms of approved projects worldwide.

Industry experts believe the Jinqimen project underscores China's unwavering commitment to nuclear power as a key component of its energy mix and decarbonization strategy.

This new unit further solidifies China's position as a global leader in nuclear technology deployment, said Lin Boqiang, head of the China Institute for Studies in Energy Policy at Xiamen University.

"The continued rollout of Hualong One reactors demonstrates the technology's maturity and reliability. This is crucial not only for meeting China's growing energy demands, but also for its potential export to other countries seeking clean and secure energy sources," Lin said.

As of the end of last year, China had 102 nuclear reactors in operation, under construction or approved for construction, with a combined installed capacity of 113 million kW, according to the China Nuclear Energy Association.

Domestic nuclear power construction saw unprecedented investment in 2024, hitting 146.9 billion yuan ($20.5 billion), which is roughly 52 billion yuan more than the investment made the previous year, the association said.

By 2024, China had completely localized the production of essential nuclear power equipment and secured independent control over critical component technologies, said the association.

Ongoing advancements in the country's independent research and development efforts within the nuclear sector were behind the success, it added.