Construction of the new Zhaoyuan NPP in China’s Shandong province has begun. China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) said the site is planned to house six Hualong One reactors with a total installed capacity of about 7,200 MWe. It will generate 50 TWh a year, enough to cover household electricity needs of approximately 5m people. It will avoid the use of 15.27m tonnes of standard coal and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 46.2m tonnes a year.
A special feature is a new cooling system – a 203-metre-high natural draft cooling tower, which is being used for the first time for a Hualong-One reactor. This massive structure with an irrigation area of 16,800 square metres allows the main cooling of the station to be transferred from sea water to air. This reduces energy consumption and allows for the reuse of water resources.
To ensure increased security, a two-level system has been introduced at the station. CGN Power Engineering Deputy General Manager Yang Yazhang explained that a natural draft cooling tower can maintain operation for at least two hours in the event of loss of external water supply, ensuring sufficient time to safely shut down the reactor. The plant will be the first unit Hualong One to use a mechanical thrust nuclear cooling tower with a large water tank capable of cooling the reactor without replenishing supplies for at least 30 days. Together, these two systems form a comprehensive two-layer protection for cooling circuits.
