Wedoany.com Report-Nov. 19, The first safety-related concrete has been poured for the reactor building of Unit 1 at the Zhaoyuan nuclear power plant in Shandong province, marking a significant milestone in the development of the facility. This plant is part of a larger plan to construct six HPR1000 (Hualong One) units at the site. The Zhaoyuan plant is being built and operated by Shandong Zhaoyuan Nuclear Power Company, a subsidiary of China General Nuclear (CGN).

In November 2022, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment approved the environmental impact assessment for the site selection phase, followed by approval of Phase I construction, which includes Units 1 and 2, by China's State Council in August 2024. The total investment in the Zhaoyuan plant is approximately CNY 120 billion (USD 16.9 billion). Once completed, the plant will feature six Hualong One units, with a total installed capacity of 7.2 gigawatts (GWe). Each unit is expected to begin power generation 50 to 60 months after construction starts.

The plant will generate about 50 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity annually, enough to supply the needs of around five million people. This output will reduce coal consumption by approximately 15.27 million tonnes per year and cut carbon dioxide emissions by about 46.2 million tonnes annually, contributing to China's environmental goals.

At a recent briefing, Shandong Zhaoyuan Nuclear Power Company Executive Director Yu Xiangdong highlighted the plant's unique features, including its 203-meter natural draft cooling tower, which has a 16,800 square-meter spray area. This cooling tower will utilize a secondary-circuit cooling technology, marking the first time this technology has been applied to a Hualong One unit. The design shifts the conventional island cooling source from seawater to atmospheric heat-sink effect, significantly reducing energy consumption and minimizing drift. This innovative approach allows water to be reused and decreases the pumping height required, contributing to overall energy efficiency.

Yu emphasized that this design provides greater flexibility in siting nuclear facilities and offers valuable experience for future nuclear development in China. The Zhaoyuan project is also notable for being CGN's first nuclear power project in Shandong province and its tenth nuclear power plant site in the country.

The project is a critical part of China's efforts to expand its nuclear energy capabilities, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and meet its carbon reduction targets. Once operational, the Zhaoyuan plant will play a key role in advancing China’s energy transition while supporting its commitment to sustainable energy development.