China has officially inaugurated its first fourth-generation nuclear power plant, located in the eastern province of Shandong.
The announcement was made by the Chinese National Energy Administration (NEA) on Wednesday.
The NEA revealed that a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor at the Shidao Bay nuclear power plant, also known as Shidaowan, has commenced commercial operations after 168 hours of continuous testing.
China has positioned itself as a global leader in the research, development, and application of fourth-generation nuclear energy technologies, as stated by the NEA in an official statement.
The Shidaowan nuclear power plant’s high-temperature gas-cooled reactor project was initiated in 2012, boasting a substantial investment of 100 billion yuan ($14.1 billion) and a 20-year construction timeline.
This nuclear power plant is a collaborative endeavor involving the China Huaneng Group energy company, China Nuclear Engineering & Construction Group, and Tsinghua University in Beijing.