The executive meeting of China’s State Council has approved Phase I of the Xuwei nuclear power project in Jiangsu province developed by China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), along with four other nuclear power projects. The Xuwei project integrates a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor with a pressurised water reactor (PWR), adopting an innovative “nuclear reactor – steam turbine generators – heating system” model that prioritises industrial heating while generating electricity.
When completed, the facility will provide a substantial amount of high-quality, low-carbon industrial steam to the Lianyungang petrochemical industry base, serving as a catalyst for the green and low-carbon transition in the energy and chemical sectors. The project employs a combination of China’s proprietary third-generation Hualong One technology and fourth-generation HTGR technology to build the nuclear heating system.
Phase I involves the construction of two 1,208 MWe Hualong One units and one 660 MWe HTGR unit, complemented by a steam heat exchange station. It will pioneer a heat-led power operation concept, where Hualong One primary steam first heats demineralised water to produce saturated steam, which is then superheated by HTGR primary steam. The facility is designed to provide high quality steam and generate electricity within its operating specifications.
A contract for the construction of the conventional islands of the three units was awarded in September 2025 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 CNY4.2bn ($622m) 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 for the nuclear island of unit 1.
CNNC plans to soon procure a contract for the unit 3 HTGR, first concrete for which is which is expected to be poured by the end of 2026. To ensure the project begins 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 previously undertook 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.
