CNNC to procure contract for high-temperature reactor

Xuwei Phase I was among 11 reactors approved by China's State Council in August 2024. CNNC plans to build two 1208 MWe (net) Hualong One (HPR1000) pressurised water reactors (units 1 and 2) and one 660 MWe high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) (unit 3) at the site in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province. The project will be equipped with a steam heat exchange station, which will adopt the heat-to-electricity operation mode for the first time. CNNC describes the project as the "world's first dual-coupling demonstration project combining a third-generation nuclear PWR and a fourth-generation nuclear HTGR".

At the plant - very close to CNNC's existing Tianwan plant - demineralised water will be heated by the primary steam of the Hualong One units to produce saturated steam, and the primary steam of the HTGR will be used to heat the saturated steam for the second time.

CNNC has said it plans to procure a contract for the unit 3 HTGR, first concrete for which is which is expected to be poured by the end of 2026. As per the relevant requirements for nuclear power project construction permits, signing an engineering contract is one of the prerequisites for the HTGR unit to achieve first concrete. To ensure the project commences on schedule, the company plans to initiate the procurement of relevant engineering contracting projects. The procuring entity is CNNC Suzhou Nuclear Power Company Ltd.

CNNC said the project is planned to be implemented through direct procurement, with specialised nuclear power engineering subsidiary CNNC Energy Technology Company Ltd entrusted with the high-temperature reactor design, equipment and material procurement and delivery, certification support, construction technical support, commissioning support, equipment training, and related project management.

CNNC Energy Technology Company Ltd has previously undertaken EPC general contracting for the nuclear island and balance of plant for the Shandong Shidaowan High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor Nuclear Power Demonstration Project, as well as nuclear island commissioning services. CNNC holds a 46% stake in the company.

Regarding the cost assessment, the estimated amount for this transaction is RMB10.3 billion (USD1.5 billion), which CNNC says is based on the approved estimate from the National Development and Reform Commission and calculated with reference to the pricing level of similar projects and the price level of equipment and materials during the same period. The final transaction price will be subject to the transaction agreement.

CNNC said the proposed procurement will be reviewed by its shareholders at an extraordinary general meeting on 17 August.

A contract for the construction of the conventional islands of the three units was awarded in September last year to a consortium formed by China Energy Engineering Jiangsu Electric Power Construction No 3 Company and China National Nuclear Huachen Construction Engineering Company. Under the CNY4.2 billion contract, Jiangsu Electric Power Construction No 3 Company will build the three conventional island power plants, their ancillary facilities, and the construction and installation of some 'balance of plant' components.

First concrete was poured in January this year for the nuclear island of unit 1 at Phase I of the Xuwei project.

Once the project is completed and put into operation, it will supply 32.5 million tonnes of industrial steam annually, with a maximum power generation of more than 11.5 billion kilowatt-hours, which can reduce the use of standard coal by 7.26 million tonnes and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 19.6 million tonnes each year.