China introduces Hualong One 2.0 nuclear reactor with enhanced safety

China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) has introduced the Hualong One 2.0, a Gen III+ class nuclear reactor designed to enhance safety and operational efficiency. A primary feature of this new technology is its advanced safety architecture, which allows the system to function autonomously for up to seven days in the event of an accident. Specifically, the design ensures that no operator intervention is required for the first 72 hours following an incident.

The Hualong One 2.0 features a 66% increase in the automatic operation rate and has undergone significant physical simplification. The design reduces total pipeline length by 31% and the number of process valves by 25%. Additionally, the volume of nuclear island buildings has been reduced by 21%, while the installation volume has decreased by approximately 33%. CGN reported that 100% of critical equipment is domestically produced.

As China continues to expand its nuclear capacity, 10 Hualong One reactors are already in commercial operation, with 37 more currently under construction. The Hualong One 2.0 is transitioning from the design phase to field application, with its first demonstration project expected at the third phase of the Taipingling Nuclear Power Plant in Guangdong province.