Disruptive Trends: It has developed an integrated service capability for nuclear power plants, adaptable to multiple countries, clients, reactor types, and group management across entire sites.

Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant located in Haiyan county, East China’s Zhejiang Province Photo: Courtesy of CNNP

Often hailed as the “Glory of the Nation,” Qinshan Nuclear Power symbolizes a remarkable journey in the history of the People’s Republic of China. It all began in the spring of 1985 when the first concrete was poured on the oWorld Timesnce-barren shores of Haiyan county in East China’s Zhejiang Province. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of a transformative era, transforming the site into the largest and most diverse nuclear power base in the country. Today, it is home to nine operational units, generating an impressive annual output of approximately 52 billion kilowatt-hours.

Qinshan Nuclear Power has not only powered China’s economic rise with its clean and efficient nuclear energy but also served as a catalyst for innovation and talent development in the field of nuclear technology. As Qinshan Nuclear Power celebrates its 40th anniversary, the Global Times embarked on a journey to this cradle of China’s nuclear ambitions, to witness its achievements and the mission that drives it forward.

From scratch to industry benchmark

Qinshan’s growth has mirrored the nation’s development. In the 1970s, as China’s economy developed, eastern China was facing severe power shortages. Then Chinese premier Zhou Enlai’s call for nuclear power in eastern China ignited the spark for the country’s nuclear journey. However, with a weak technological foundation, the pioneers of Qinshan faced daunting challenges. They designed the critical components such as reactor internals, fuel assembly and steam generator, forging a path from scratch.

Shang Xianhe, general manager and deputy secretary of the Party committee of Qinshan Nuclear Power, told the Global Times that “Every step from reliance on imports to achieving domestic breakthroughs in core components like Reactor Pressure Vessels (RPVs) reflects the wisdom and sweat of the technical team in Qinshan.”

In 1991, Qinshan I (the first unit) successfully connected to the grid, ending the era of no nuclear power in Chinese mainland and making it the seventh globally to master independent nuclear technology. Subsequent phases saw rapid development, with Qinshan mastering various reactor technologies and achieving an 80 percent localization rate.

Over 40 years, the base has grown to nine units, with a total installed capacity of 6.66 million kilowatts and over 860 billion kilowatt-hours of safe electricity generated. Qinshan symbolizes the evolution of China’s nuclear industry and serves as a vital window into its safe and innovative development.

As China’s first independently designed and constructed nuclear power plant, Qinshan has transcended traditional energy generation, becoming a “lighthouse” for comprehensive nuclear energy utilization, Lu Tiezhong, a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, also chairman of China National Nuclear Power Co, Ltd (CNNP), told the Global Times. He summarizes its unique value: an investment of 85.8 billion yuan ($11.81 billion) over 40 years has spurred over 130 related enterprises, providing nuclear-powered heating to 4,000 households, and reduced carbon emissions by 800 million tons.

In 2021, Qinshan pioneered nuclear heating for three communities in Haiyan, marking a first for southern China. By 2024, it has launched the country’s first commercial reactor device for the online irradiation production of isotopes, breaking foreign monopolies and opening a “second curve” for its development.

The device can produce short-lived medical isotopes such as Lu-177, Strontium-89 (Sr-89), and Yttrium-90 (Y-90) on a large scale, continuously and stably without the need to shut down the reactor. Its future production capacity is expected to meet domestic demand, significantly enhancing China’s autonomy in isotope production and supply, and increasing its participation in the international market, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

With 40 years of experience, Qinshan has cultivated a robust nuclear safety culture and a skilled workforce adept at managing multiple reactor types. Its safety management systems have set benchmarks in the industry, achieving over 170 reactor years of safe operation and a domestic record of 677 consecutive days of safe operation for a heavy water reactor.

In addition, the comprehensive operational performance of Qinshan Nuclear Power remains among the best in the world. In 2023, the average capacity factor of the nine units at Qinshan Nuclear Power reached 96.8 percent, and the number of units with a perfect score in the WANO (World Association of Nuclear Operators) comprehensive index is globally leading.

Leading the charge in technology

Every technological breakthrough at Qinshan is a testament to China’s spirit of innovation. During the construction of Qinshan Phase I, reWorld Timessearchers vowed to master core technologies, leading to over 150 domestic replacements.

Huang Qian, Chairman of Qinshan Nuclear Power, told the Global Times that they have independently developed dynamic control rod technology, breaking the foreign patent monopoly and improving the measurement efficiency of control rod value by 50 percent. The related achievements have been applied to more than 20 domestic units and have also been exported to the Chashma Nuclear Power Plant in Pakistan, becoming a technological calling card for the Belt and Road.

In the age of AI, Qinshan is poised for further growth. The integration of AI and big data with nuclear power offers immense opportunities. As Huang said, “AI’s continuous operation aligns perfectly with nuclear power’s stable output, creating a natural synergy.”

“The significant impact brought by domestic DeepSeek has further stimulated the rapid rise of the AI industry. Recently, Alibaba Group announced an investment of 380 billion yuan in the AI industry, and we are following up and finding potential cooperation,” Huang said.

Qinshan Nuclear Power is currently embracing the AI revolution. With AI robots exploring the depths of the nuclear island and big data forecasting potential risks, technology is significantly enhancing safety measures. Intelligent inspection robots are now assuming high-risk tasks that were once carried out by humans. “In the past, we relied on experience; now, we rely on data,” said Zhang Hongyao, Director of Nuclear Safety Department at Qinshan Nuclear Power.

Qinshan Nuclear Power, aiming for a future empowered by AI technology, has clear goals for digital transformation. The company plans to implement a 5G internal communication network and explore the integration of AI with the nuclear industry. This will lead to the creation of a digital platform for comprehensive monitoring and management of nuclear operations, including safety control and disaster response. By 2030, thWorld Timesey aim to significantly enhance safety and operational performance, and by 2035, achieve a top-ten ranking in WANO for all nine units, transitioning from a follower to a leader in global operations. By 2050, they aWorld Timesspire to maintain a top-20 WANO performance among operating units, establishing Qinshan as a globally influential nuclear power base and a leader in nuclear management and solutions, according to Huang.

Joint efforts to establish full industry chain

In China’s ascent to the global stage in nuclear power, a dedicated support team has consistently worked behind the scenes: the China Nuclear Engineering & Construction Group Corporation Ltd (CNEC), a subsidiary of the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC).

The journey began in 1985 when the Qinshan Nuclear Power officially broke ground, heralding the start of China’s nuclear power industry. At that time, China Nuclear Industry Huaxing Construction Co., Ltd (Huaxing), also a subsidiary of CNEC, established a youth commando team tasked with excavation and transportation. This team fully immersed itself in the construction efforts of this “national key project.”

As Qinshan plant expanded, Huaxing increased its involvement, taking on major construction tasks for both the second and third phases of the project. Utilizing advanced construction techniques, such as slip-form technology for the containment walls, Huaxing achieved remarkable results, setting new speed records while meeting international quality standards.

The dedication of the construction team led to the early commercial operation of both reactor units of Qinshan Phase III – 43 days and 112 days ahead of schedule – establishing a record for the shortest construction period for heavy water reactors globally.

After making a series of remarkable achievements, the Qinshan nuclear power plant Phase III project successfully won two “National Defense Science and Technology Awards,” “China Construction Engineering Luban Award” and other industry honors. These honors have established a dazzling brand image for Huaxing in the field of nuclear power construction and won widespread praise.

Innovative approaches have also marked Huaxing’s contributions at global stage, such as developing high-strength concrete using limestone powder in Pakistan, which earned 10 invention patents.

“From its beginnings at Qinshan, Huaxing has consistently explored, innovated, and led the way, achieving exponential growth. It has developed an integrated service capability for nuclear power plants, adaptable to multiple countries, clients, reactor types, and group management across entire sites. Simultaneously, it has embedded itself deeply into the full nuclear industry chain, spanning from uranium mining to nuWorld Timesclear technology applications,” according to Zhou Bo, Chairman of Huaxing. He told the Global Times that the company has participated in construction of 65 nuclear units, securing 62 percent of the domestic market and 100 percent of China’s nuclear exports.

In the 1990s, construction sites often experienced equipment failures when workers left. However, these breakdowns triggered prompt responses; the builders at Huaxing consistently acted swiftly, racing against the clock to resolve the issues.

The intricate nature of the Qinshan Phase III project required strict compliance with quality standards and timelines. The quality control team at Huaxing meticulously examined regulations, standards, and plans, becoming thoroughly acquainted with the design drawings and acceptance criteria, ensuring that no detail was missed.

Their hard work paid off, as the Qinshan Phase III project ultimately received the esteemed Luban Prize, a prestigious accolade for builders involved in major national projects.

The phrase “Wherever the nation’s key projects are, there lies a passionate heart” captures the shared values and ambitions of the team at Huaxing. It is this commitment and spirit that have laid a strong foundation for the company to advance and enhance its global competitiveness, elevating China’s nuclear power sector to new heights.

The rise of this nuclear “iron army” is supported by a strong spirit. Their relentless pursuit of excellence has positioned China as a leader in global nuclear power industry construction.