China has become a dominant force in the international nuclear energy market through its astonishing Hualong One reactor. The reactor is the most widely deployed reactor type in operation and under construction anywhere in the world, and exemplifies the nation’s substantial expertise in nuclear reactor technology. China recently announced that the first concrete has been poured at the Zhaoyuan nuclear site, and that construction work on the required Hualong One Reactor on the site has commenced.
The international energy market has been hit with a surge in new nuclear energy
A new wave of nuclear energy has washed over the international energy market as a myriad of nations aim to develop nuclear energy generation that will drastically reduce emissions while still supplying the necessary energy for daily life. China has been developing the Hualong One reactor for some time now, as it is the third generation of nuclear energy technology in the nation.
China’s General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) recently announced that the first concrete has been poured at the Zhaoyuan nuclear site, which will host the Hualong One nuclear reactor. At a recent press briefing, Party secretary and executive director of Shandong Zhaoyuan Nuclear Power Co., Yu Xiangdong, told reporters that the project will feature an innovative 203-meter natural draft cooling tower.
“This is the first time secondary-circuit cooling technology has been applied to a Hualong One unit. By adopting this technology, the Zhaoyuan project expands the siting possibilities for nuclear facilities and provides new reference experience for China’s future nuclear development” – Yu Xiangdong, Executive director of Shandong Zhaoyuan Nuclear Power Co.
China is advancing the progress of the Zhaoyuan nuclear project
The nation noted that it accepted the required environmental impact assessment documents in November 2022, and since then, the project has been developing the necessary infrastructure to house the Hualong One reactor. Construction of phase 1 for the project’s infrastructure commenced in 2024, following the approval from China’s State Council.
The plant will eventually house up to six Hualong One reactors, representing a total investment of approximately $16.9 billion. Each of the planned units boasts astonishing levels of efficiency, being capable of generating power 50-60 months after the initial construction work begins. The Zhaoyuan nuclear plant will generate upwards of 50 TWh of electricity annually. With global forecasts expecting a surge in new reactor deployment, the future of the international nuclear sector is dependent on projects such as the latest one unfolding in China.
“Thanks to the water reserve of the high-level natural draft cooling tower, the unit can continue operating for at least two hours even under scenarios where external water supply is lost, providing a crucial buffer for a safe shutdown in extreme scenario” – Yang Yazhang, a member of the Party committee and deputy general manager of CGN Power Engineering Co.
China has become an exceedingly progressive nation in the energy market, boasting astonishing renewable energy projects that define the progress of the sector across the energy biosphere. The Hualong One reactor is one of the most efficient on the market and has positioned the nation at the forefront of the nuclear revival.
Climate change has forced the hand of the international energy market
Climate change is a problem that requires a pragmatic approach from the international community. Following the latest earthquake in Japan on 5 December, dealing with the problematic state of the environment has become the top priority for the world. As noted by several Chinese officials, nuclear energy can drastically reduce emissions while still providing the necessary energy for everyday life. Even nations such as the US, which have strong negative feelings toward renewable energy, have been developing their nuclear energy portfolio over the past year.
