On Wednesday, state media reported that China has initiated the commercial operations of a groundbreaking nuclear reactor, marking a significant milestone as the first of its kind globally. Situated in the northern Shandong province, the Shidaowan plant represents a fourth-generation advancement, aiming to enhance fuel efficiency and overall performance. This strategic move aligns with China’s commitment to nuclear power as a key component in achieving carbon emissions reduction goals, emphasizing improvements in economic viability, safety standards, and environmental impact.
It has 193 fuel assemblies and can use mixed oxide (MOX) fuels. It has a design life of 30 years and is earthquake-resistant. The developers say it can produce electricity and heat, which is expected to help China become carbon neutral and assist the world in achieving climate change goals. It will be cooled by helium gas, which means the plant does not need to be located next to a water source. More than 500 companies majoring in design and development, engineering construction, equipment manufacturing, production, and operation participated in the project, according to state nuclear company China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). Up to 93.4 percent of the plant’s equipment was made locally, CNNC added.
The plant is one of several projects China is pushing to build as it seeks to increase nuclear’s share of its energy mix from 10% to about 18% by 2035. In addition to the CAP1400 demonstration unit at Rongcheng, four Hualong One units are under construction at Fuqing, Fangchenggang, Taipingling, and Zhangzhou.
These units are expected to be connected to the grid this year and in 2021, bringing total capacity to about 10 GWe. Another 58 GWe of nuclear capacity is being built and is in the planning stages, including inland facilities.
After the 2011 Fukushima disaster, the Chinese government imposed rigorous inspections on existing and under-construction plants. It also delayed work on some projects that were already approved. During that time, the nation boosted its research and development of more advanced nuclear technologies.
In September, China signed an agreement with SNC-Lavalin, CNNC, and Shanghai Electric Group to build the world’s first advanced fuel can nuclear reactor (AFCR), a next-generation design to reuse spent nuclear fuel. The project is slated to have two design centers in China and Canada.
AFCRs have the potential to significantly reduce the cost of producing energy from nuclear power and provide the ability to store and transport nuclear waste more safely than current generation reactors. This could accelerate the deployment of AFCRs around the globe, help countries address nuclear waste challenges, and meet their climate change goals.
