China commissions fourth-generation nuclear plant

• 4 months ago (2024-01-02)
• David Flin

Asia 851 Nuclear 640

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Shanghai has announced that it has commissioned the Shidaowan demonstration nuclear power plant project equipped with Fourth Generation technology in Shandong province, China.

The technology being used at Shidaowan is a High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor Pebble-bed Module (HTR-PM). The plant entered commercial operation following completion of a 168-hour test run.

The project was initiated in 2006 and construction began in 2012. Shanghai Electric provided reactor pressure vessels, metallic core internals, control rod drive mechanisms, shutdown systems, turbines, primary helium fans, and helium compressors.

Shanghai Electric said that the project is notable for its safety features. The HTR-PM technology ensures the reactor remains safe even in the case of the failure of all cooling systems, preventing core meltdown and radioactive material leakage without any intervention.