China connects first Hualong One to power 6 million homes

China is actively developing third-generation nuclear power, building and operating Hualong One reactors, which are a symbol of the country's technological progress.

Recently, the first reactor at the Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant was successfully connected to the grid, providing power to about 6 million homes. A total of 33 such reactors are operating or under construction in China, which makes this technology the most widespread among third-generation energy systems in the world.

Hualong One has significant environmental benefits. A single reactor can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 8.16 million tons and coal consumption by 3.12 million tons annually. These figures are an important part of China’s plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. The massive $14 billion project in Zhangzhou will build six Hualong One reactors, making it the largest nuclear power plant of its kind.

Hualong One’s technology is characterized by its safety, efficiency and high reliability, surpassing most existing second-generation reactors. The successful 168-hour test in Zhangzhou confirms the reactor’s readiness for stable operation. The second unit at this plant is expected to start operating as early as 2025.

Despite significant progress, China still lags behind the United States in total nuclear power capacity. In 2023, US nuclear power plants generated more than 779,000 GWh of electricity, almost double that of China. However, China's advantage in the development and implementation of third-generation reactors may change the balance in the future, since most American reactors were built between 1970 and 1990 and belong to the second generation.

Thus, the development of the Hualong One reactors is not only a strategic achievement for China, but also an important contribution to the global fight against climate change, demonstrating the potential of nuclear energy to ensure an environmentally friendly future.