China Advances Shidaowan Nuclear Base with Hualong One Construction

China is expanding its Shidaowan nuclear power base. Construction has begun on two Hualong One reactors, approved in July 2023. First concrete for unit 1 was poured on July 28, 2024. Each Hualong One unit will generate over 10 billion kWh annually. This will reduce standard coal consumption by 3.12 million tonnes and CO2 emissions by 8.16 million tonnes, according to China Huaneng. The Shidaowan site also houses a demonstration CAP1400 reactor connected to the grid in November. It also features the HTR-PM, operational since December 2023, with two reactors driving a 210 MWe turbine. The expansion accelerates China's comprehensive nuclear power base integrating third and fourth-generation technologies.