China’s First Next-Gen Nuclear Reactor Enters Commercial Operations

  • Shidao Bay is China’s first high temperature gas reactor
  • China is building more nuclear plants than any other country

Model of the Shidao Bay high temperature gas-cooled reactor.

Photographer: VCG/Getty Images
Lock
This article is for subscribers only.

China’s nuclear power ambitions received a boost Wednesday as the country’s first next-generation reactor entered into commercial operations.

China Huaneng Group Co.’s 200-megawatt unit at Shidao Bay is the world’s first high temperature gas-cooled reactor, the National Energy Administration said in a WeChat post. The reactor was given permission to start commercial service after it operated for 168 consecutive hours.