Construction has begun on the Shuwei Nuclear Power Plant in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, East China. It is the first nuclear project under China's 15th Five-Year Plan. It is the world's first project to combine Hualong One and a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor, generating high-quality steam along with electricity.
Construction of a new nuclear power plant has begun in eastern China. This is the first nuclear project to be commissioned under China's 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026–2030). Construction of the Shuwei Nuclear Power Plant in Lianyungang City, Jiangsu Province, began on Friday.
This is the world's first project to combine a Hualong One pressurized water reactor and a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor. The plant will not only generate electricity but also provide high-quality steam.
Construction will take place in two phases
Major construction work on the plant began on Friday, with the first major task being the pouring of concrete for the No. 1 nuclear unit. The project will be constructed in two phases. Currently, work has begun on the first phase, which will include the construction of two Hualong One units and one high-temperature gas-cooled reactor unit.
The two Hualong One units to be installed in the project are based on China 's fully indigenous third-generation nuclear technology, while the high-temperature gas-cooled reactor uses fourth-generation nuclear technology.
Coal consumption will decrease by 72.6 lakh tonnes every year
This will reduce coal consumption by 7.26 million tons annually and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 19.6 million tons. This project will not only promote low-carbon development for the Lianyungang petrochemical base, but also expand the use of nuclear energy in China beyond just power generation to multi-functional applications.
The first phase may be operational in 2032
The first phase of the project is expected to be operational in 2032. Hualong One is China's third-generation nuclear reactor technology, developed by China General Nuclear Power Group and China National Nuclear Corporation. It has received European Utility Requirements certification and has also passed the UK's Generic Design Assessment process.
