The eastern province of Jiangsu in China has become the starting point for a significant engineering project—the construction of the "Xuywei" nuclear power plant. According to Global Times, this plant will be the first in the world to combine different types of reactors for the simultaneous generation of electricity and the provision of steam to a massive petrochemical cluster. The official pouring of the first concrete took place on January 16, marking the beginning of the implementation of key tasks in China's five-year development plan.
The uniqueness of "Xuywei" lies in its innovative technology: a third-generation Hualong One pressurized water reactor and a groundbreaking fourth-generation high-temperature gas-cooled reactor will operate on the same site. The engineering scheme is meticulously designed: heat from one module will be used to generate steam, which will then be "superheated" by the energy from the second reactor to the required parameters. This will allow for an impressive production of 13,000 tons of steam per hour, fully meeting the needs of neighboring chemical enterprises.
The project is impressive in its scale. The first phase includes the launch of two Hualong One units and one gas-cooled installation. Once full capacity is reached, the complex will be able to produce over 11.5 billion kWh of electricity annually and supply more than 32 million tons of steam. The implementation of "peaceful nuclear energy" in production will result in an environmental effect equivalent to the reduction of burning 7.26 million tons of coal, which will eliminate nearly 20 million tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere each year. During construction, Chinese specialists are applying advanced technologies, including intelligent laser tracking and robotic welding.
Representatives of the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) emphasize that "Xuywei" is not just a new nuclear power plant, but a symbol of change in the industry. China is transitioning from traditional electricity generation to a more diverse energy model, offering the international market an effective solution for decarbonizing heavy industry. By April 2025, China will officially be recognized as the world leader in the number of operational and under-construction nuclear power units, with their number in the country exceeding one hundred.
