On July 31, an executive meeting of the State Council approved eight nuclear power units across four projects: Zhejiang Jinqimen Nuclear Power Phase II, Guangdong Taipingling Nuclear Power Phase III, Liaoning Zhuanghe Nuclear Power Phase I, and Shandong Laiyang Nuclear Power Phase I. The meeting called for building and operating the units to the world's highest safety standards, with tighter oversight across the entire chain and all fields to leave no margin for error on nuclear safety.

The six units at Zhejiang Jinqimen Phase II, Guangdong Taipingling Phase III and Liaoning Zhuanghe Phase I will all use Hualong One (HPR1000) nuclear power technology, with Jinqimen Phase II and Taipingling Phase III designated as Hualong One 2.0 demonstration projects.

Hualong One is a million-kilowatt-class Generation III pressurized water reactor (PWR) technology with fully independent intellectual property rights. It was developed by China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) and CGN on the basis of more than 40 years of Chinese experience in nuclear power R&D, design, manufacturing, construction, and operation, and is widely regarded as a national calling card. Drawing on feedback from the construction and operation of Hualong One units, Hualong One 2.0 is an advanced Generation III+ PWR technology developed through independent innovation and integrated collaboration. It marks a major milestone in China's nuclear power industry as it moves from "keeping pace overall" to "keeping pace across the board and taking the lead in selected areas".

Hualong One 2.0 adopts Chinese standards, independently developed and controlled software, and optimized active and passive safety systems. It also incorporates advanced technologies in intelligent control and modular construction, substantially reducing quantities of works while comprehensively improving safety, technological sophistication, and cost-effectiveness, thereby enhancing its overall competitiveness.

Ten Hualong One units are now in commercial operation at home and abroad, with 37 more approved and under construction. It boast the largest fleet of any Generation III nuclear technology worldwide, with its maturity proven through large-scale and batch construction and operation. A single Hualong One unit generates nearly 10 billion kilowatt-hours a year by design, which is enough to power a mid-sized city of over a million people and cuts standard coal use by more than 3 million tons and carbon dioxide emissions by more than 9 million tons annually. The technology's development has also built out a supply chain of nearly 6,000 upstream and downstream companies, driving the upgrading of Chinese manufacturing effectively.

More Hualong One units coming online will further strengthen the resilience and self-reliance of China's energy supply, support the country's new-type energy system, safeguard energy security, and offer a smarter Chinese solution to the world's green, low-carbon energy transition.