Hualong One: China’s entry in Nuclear Power Sector

China recently connected its first indigenously developed third generation nuclear power reactor called Hualong one to its national grid. The Hualong One nuclear power reactor is first of its kind.

About Hualong One

According to the China National Nuclear Corporation, Unit 5 of Fuqing Nuclear Power Plant located in Fujian province was connected to the grid for the first time.  Unit 5 is the first nuclear power reactor in the world to adopt Hualong One technology. It can generate 10 billion kilo watt hour electricity ever year. This will help China cut its carbon emission by 8.16 million tonnes.

Hualong one is one of the world’s most advanced nuclear power reactor. The technology of Hualong one has more than 700 patents and 120 software updates. The lifespan of the Hualong one nuclear reactor is 60 years. It is made up of 177 reactor cores. These cores will be replaced every 18 months.

The construction of Hualong one began in 2015 with more than 10,000 technicians working on it. Till now there are 6 units under construction in China and other parts of the world based on the Hualong One technology.

Nuclear Power in China

As of 2019, nuclear energy accounted to only less than 5% of annual electricity of China. This is expected to grow as China is trying to become carbon neutral by 2060. China has 47 nuclear power plants. They together generate 48.75 million kilo watts of power. With this, China has the third highest nuclear power in the world after United States and France.

Other nuclear projects of China

China is also constructing two other demonstration Hualong One units in Guangxi Autonomous Region. These units are to begin their operation in 2020. The China National Nuclear Corporation has also begun the construction of two other Hualong units at Zhangzhou plant.

China has planned five Hualong One Nuclear reactors for Pakistan. Four are planned at Karachi Nuclear Power plant and one at Chashma Nuclear Power plant. Of these, two units are under construction. The construction began in 2015 and the units are to enter into commercial operation by 2021 and 2022.

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2020