China’s next-generation nuclear plans take step forward with fast gigawatt reactor design
The China National Nuclear Corporation’s neutron reactor could generate up to 1.2GW and provide a more efficient, cleaner source of power
Named the CFR-1000, it will be China’s first commercial fourth-generation gigawatt-level fast neutron reactor. The facility is now awaiting approval and expected to become operational after 2030.
Other major nuclear powers, including Russia and the United States, are also working on advanced reactors with the aim of developing a more fuel-efficient source of power.
The event in the capital of southeastern Fujian province – where China has built a demonstration reactor – was attended by representatives from the China Atomic Energy Authority and National Energy Administration.
“Fast reactors are a crucial step in China’s ‘three-step’ strategy of nuclear energy development: thermal reactors, fast reactors and fusion reactors,” the CNNC said in referring to the symposium on its website the following day.
“After more than a decade of research, exploration and engineering practice, China has now independently mastered all the core technologies and supporting technologies for large fast reactors, and has formed the world’s most complete fast reactor industry chain.”
At present, much of the world’s nuclear power is generated by thermal reactors that use slow neutrons to maintain a reaction, requiring the use of moderators to slow the neutrons, and are typically water-cooled.
By contrast, fast neutron reactors use high-energy, unmoderated neutrons to sustain a nuclear fission chain reaction, which is more fuel-efficient and can convert nuclear fuel into fissile material that can be reused.
However, the Gen IV International Forum – a global framework for the development of fourth-generation nuclear power whose members include China, the US and European Union – says the technology aims to limit waste, environmental impact and the risk of nuclear meltdown.
Sodium-cooled reactors are considered the most mature fast reactor technology, with experimental, demonstration, and commercial units being developed in several countries, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Sodium-cooled reactors use liquid sodium as a coolant instead of water, which helps improve efficiency and allows them to operate at higher temperatures.
China has been working on fast reactors since the 1960s and the 20 megawatt Russian-built China Experimental Fast Reactor in Beijing was connected to the grid in 2011.
Since then China has built a demonstration reactor known as the CFR-600 in Xiapu, Fujian province, the first unit of which started operating at reduced capacity in 2023, while a second is under construction.
The CFR-1000 commercial unit is expected to start operating around 2034, according to the World Nuclear Association.
The CNNC announcement did not say where the reactor will be built.
Russia currently operates the world’s largest capacity fast reactor, the experimental BN-800 reactor with a capacity of over 800 megawatts of electrical output.
Its successor, the BN-1200 with a capacity of 1.2GW, has been granted a construction licence and construction should be completed by 2034, according to state energy corporation Rosatom.
The US, which cancelled its Integral Fast Reactor programme more than 30 years ago, currently does not have any fast reactors operating.
However, TerraPower, a firm co-founded by former Microsoft chief Bill Gates, is developing a 345MW sodium-cooled reactor in partnership with the US Department of Energy.
In 2015, CNNC signed a deal with TerraPower to develop a travelling wave reactor, another type of fast reactor, but this was halted four years later as a result of US export restrictions, according to a report by Chinese media outlet Caixin.