China’s indigenously built 1.2 GW Hualong One reactor connected to grid in Hainan 25%
By Ameya Paleja60%
8/3/2026, 5:08:23 AM
BS Summary: This article contains 18 faulty reasoning types, including Optimism Bias, Framing Effect, and Negativity Bias, with Biased Writer Voice as the most egregious example at 24.1% saturation with 150 hits. Analysis detected 835 faulty-reasoning hits from 623 analyzed words, generating a BS Score of 31.7% and a BS Rank of 25% (20,324 of 26,881 articles). This article is better (less manipulative) than 75.60% of the article peer group.
For the first time, the indigenously built Hualong One nuclear reactor was connected to the grid in China’s Hainan province, marking an important milestone before it assumes commercial operations.
The reactor boasts advanced safety features and digital management systems while also supplying carbon-free energy as the Asian giant looks to meet its net zero targets by 2060.
Even as the US has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement for the second time, China has remained steadfast in its commitments to meet its climate goals.
While developed countries like the US and UK were aiming for a 2050 deadline to meet their carbon-neutral goals, China had sought an additional decade to achieve this.
With the UK contemplating drilling in the North Sea and pushing its climate targets, and the US completely dismissing its previous intentions, China’s steadfast approach is a beacon of hope for countries most vulnerable to climate change.
In addition to rolling out large-scale renewables, China is also relying on nuclear energy to meet its energy demands without emitting carbon.
The Hualong One reactor
Interesting Engineering has previously reported how China is aggressively building nuclear reactors as it looks to reach the peak of its carbon emissions by 2030.
A critical ingredient of this aggressive stance are pressurized water reactors (PWRs), with the indigenously developed Hualong One occupying a prime position.
A Generation III nuclear reactor, the Hualong One was jointly developed by the China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) and the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC).
One of its most notable features is the double containment shell for radioactive material.
A single Hualong One nuclear reactor produces an electric power output of about 1,170 to 1,200 megawatts (gross).
The inner containment shell is built with 4.26 feet (1.3 m) of reinforced concrete with a six-millimeter steel plate lining.
On the outside is a nearly a six feet (1.8m) thick shell made from high-strength concrete, which protects the reactor from external physical attacks.
The reactor features a passive emergency cooling system that can kick in during an emergency, even if there is no power supply or human to supervise the effort.
The system consists of a tank that can store up to 2,645 US tons (2,400 tonnes) of water and is fed by gravity instead.
When called into action, the water can keep the reactor cool for up to 72 hours, giving operators additional time to respond to the emergency.
China is also using digital management systems including video surveillance, 5G communications and artificial intelligence (AI), which have been developed indigenously to monitor the reactor and power plant through its lifecycle.
Towards a carbon-neutral China
This is the first Hualong One nuclear reactor in China’s southern Hainan province to be connected to grid.
Before becoming fully operational, the reactor will undergo extensive commissioning, efficiency and performance testing.
The reactor has been installed as Unit 3 of the Phase II Changjiang Nuclear Power Plant in Hainan, which consists of another 1.2 gigawatt (GW) reactor.
Once both these reactors are operational, the second phase of the power plant will generate 18 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually.
This is estimated to save 6.3 million tonnes of coal from being burned every year and prevent 11.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere.
This is in line with Hainan province’s long-term climate strategy, which also aims to peak its emissions by 2030.
In another 15 years, the region wants to establish a low-carbon footprint by reducing its emissions by as much as 75 percent and finally achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
China has drawn up similar region-specific carbon neutrality goals as it looks to achieve country-wide goals by 2060.
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