China's Hualong One Leads Gen 3 Nuclear; Linglong SMR Passes IAEA Review

China National Nuclear Corporation has 41 Hualong One reactor units deployed or under construction, marking it as the most widely implemented Generation 3 nuclear technology globally. Concurrently, the Linglong One small modular reactor has reached 90 per cent installation at its Hainan site. This particular unit has achieved the distinction of being the first land based SMR to successfully pass a safety review conducted by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Credits: CNNC

Of the 41 Hualong One units, two reactors within the Zhangzhou batch have already connected to the electricity grid, while two more are nearing their completion stages. The Linglong One, a small modular reactor project, currently has its pressure vessel and steam generators installed. This SMR, with a capacity of 125 megawatts, is designed to support various applications including heating, steam generation, water desalination, and oil extraction operations.

The Hualong One reactor incorporates a 177 core fuel assembly design, originally developed in 1997. This design contributes to a 5 to 10 per cent increase in power output while also reducing core power density, which aims to enhance safety margins. Furthermore, the reactor systems integrate both active and passive safety features. These systems meet the most stringent international safety standards and have reportedly addressed over 200 previous domestic technology deficiencies. And each Hualong One unit provides a capacity exceeding 1.2 gigawatts. The annual electricity generation for each unit surpasses 100 billion kilowatt hours.

Each operational Hualong One unit is reported to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 8.16 million tonnes per year. Financially, each unit is estimated to create over SGD 36 billion in lifetime economic value. The ongoing construction and operation of these units also support more than 150,000 jobs. A significant proportion of key components for these nuclear facilities originate from Sichuan Province.

Specific technological advancements include the Longlin safety grade digital control system, the control rod drive mechanism, and N36 zirconium alloy core technology, all developed in Chengdu. The entire production chain for CF nuclear fuel, from research and development in Chengdu to manufacturing in Yibin, is also domestically managed. The Nuclear Power Institute of China has provided the complete instrumentation and control system for the Zhangzhou base, establishing what is described as a fully autonomous central control system. But this localisation programme has engaged over 30 enterprises and research institutes within Sichuan Province.

The industrial scale of this localisation ecosystem exceeds SGD 5.4 billion, covering sectors such as heavy equipment, digital instrumentation, and control systems. The Linglong One SMR has prompted cooperation agreements with nearly 10 other countries. This positions the technology as a potential export for distributed clean energy solutions. Its design versatility for various applications supports this export focus.

China's nuclear power deployment strategy demonstrates a multifaceted approach. This strategy includes large reactors for providing baseload electricity to the grid, along with small modular reactors intended for distributed and multi purpose applications. The organisation also has micro reactors under development, designed to serve remote and specialised energy requirements. So this broad spectrum of development aims to address diverse energy needs across different scales and locations.

The Pakistan Karachi K2 and K3 units represent the first overseas deployment of the Hualong One reactor. These particular units have reportedly maintained stable operations since their commissioning. This dual track strategy, which involves perfected large reactors alongside newly developed small reactors, establishes China both as the largest domestic builder of nuclear facilities and as a potential standards setter for future generations of nuclear technology. This applies particularly within the developing small modular reactor market. Regulatory frameworks for this emerging market are still in the process of global establishment. According to Pandaily, this indicates an aim towards influencing international nuclear technology benchmarks.

• CNNC Hualong One has 41 units deployed or under construction globally.

• The Linglong One small modular reactor is 90 per cent installed and passed an IAEA safety review.

• Hualong One units provide over 1.2 GW capacity, reducing 8.16 million tonnes of CO2 annually per unit.

• Domestic development in Sichuan Province supports key components and fuel production.

• China's strategy includes large reactors, SMRs, and micro reactors for diverse energy needs.

Source: Pandaily