China's Homegrown Nuclear Power Technology Safe and Green

On May 5, the Nos 5 and 6 generator units of the Fuqing Nuclear Power Plant, the world's first Hualong One pilot project in East China's Fujian Province, passed their final acceptance.

The two units saw an annual power output of over 20 billion kilowatts, equivalent to cutting standard coal consumption by 6.24 million metric tons and reducing carbon emissions by 16.32 million tons, according to the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC).

Hualong One is a highly competitive piece of third-generation pressurized water reactor technology jointly designed by CNNC and China General Nuclear Power Group, featuring multiple creative and effective solutions to increase availability, efficiency and the safety of nuclear power plants.

Liu Changwen, deputy chief designer of Hualong One at CNNC, said that the technology meets the world's highest safety standards, with one of its most outstanding features being an innovative combination of electricity-driven and natural-force-driven safety systems.

To further ensure safety, Hualong One adopts a double-layered containment design that can prevent radioactive substances from leaking out and withstand a typhoon, earthquake or plane crash.

Hualong One project also has stepped up construction globally, with the first overseas pilot project – two units of the Karachi Nuclear Power Plant in Pakistan – having entered full operation in April 2022.

Nuclear power is a safe and clean form of energy that can achieve virtually zero greenhouse gas emissions, experts said.

Compared to renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power, nuclear power features greater stability, a larger capacity and better economics, making it an important energy option for addressing climate change.

CNNC is working on the application of digital and intelligent technologies within the whole life cycle of a power plant to increase power generation efficiency and ensure safe and stable operation.

In addition to electricity generation, CNNC is also accelerating multiple nuclear solutions and services in heating, refrigeration, hydrogen production, seawater desalination and other fields, assisting in low-carbon transition in various industries.