BEIJING, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- In January 2026, two nuclear power projects in east China's Fujian and Jiangsu provinces made important progress. In the same month, China's atomic energy law took effect, providing national-level support for its nuclear energy development.

With its safe, clean power, the nuclear energy sector is making an important contribution to the country's energy security and promoting its green development.

SAFE, CLEAN ENERGY

On the first day of 2026, Unit Two of the Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant in Fujian started commercial operation. The unit uses the third-generation nuclear power technology "Hualong One," independently developed in China and known for its safety.

According to Hualong Nuclear Power Technology Co., Ltd., the developer of Hualong One, the technology adheres to the world's highest safety standards for third-generation reactors and leverages digital and intelligent technologies to enhance safety and economic performance.

It features a double containment design and combines active and passive safety principles. Nuclear power plants equipped with this technology can withstand severe earthquakes.

Nuclear power is also a clean energy source with advantages over wind and solar, including stable power generation and independence from weather. A single Hualong One unit can generate some 10 billion kWh of electricity annually, reducing CO2 emissions by about 8.16 million tonnes and saving over 3 million tonnes of standard coal each year.

The number of Hualong One units under construction or in operation has reached 41.

According to data from the China Nuclear Energy Association, the country's nuclear power generation in the first half of 2025 has cut CO2 emissions by 170 million tonnes, sulfur dioxide emissions by 552,400 tonnes, and nitrogen oxide emissions by 480,900 tonnes.

DIVERSE UTILIZATION

In addition to clean electricity, nuclear power units can also support other applications. According to the atomic energy law, China supports the use of nuclear reactors for power generation, heating, seawater desalination, hydrogen production, isotope production, and scientific research.

The nuclear-petrochemical integration project, which began construction on Jan. 16 in Jiangsu's Xuwei, is a large project to use nuclear energy to supply low-carbon steam for the petrochemical industry. According to its developer, China National Nuclear Corporation, it will reduce fossil fuel use and provide a new solution for the green transformation of traditional industries worldwide.

The project's first phase will integrate two Hualong One pressurized water reactors and a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor for coupled heating. It will use the main steam from the Hualong One reactors to heat desalted water, producing saturated steam, which will then be reheated by the main steam from the high-temperature gas-cooled reactor to produce high-quality industrial steam.

After all heating processes, most of the industrial steam will be sent to the nearby petrochemical industrial base in Lianyungang. Additionally, the project will also generate electricity.

The Lianyungang base is one of China's petrochemical hubs. In addition to petrochemical raw materials, it requires up to 13,000 tonnes of steam per hour. The production at this scale has relied on fossil fuels such as coal, posing growing challenges as China strives to cut carbon emissions.

Upon completion and operation, the first phase will supply 32.5 million tonnes of industrial steam annually, with a maximum power generation exceeding 11.5 billion kWh. It is expected to reduce the use of standard coal by 7.26 million tonnes per year and to cut CO2 emissions by 19.6 million tonnes per year.

STATE-LEVEL SUPPORT

The atomic energy law that took effect on Jan. 15 is the latest example of China's top-tier support for nuclear power development, with the aim of promoting high-quality economic and social development.

It stipulates that the country should formulate and implement specific plans for atomic energy's scientific research and technological development, promoting advanced R&D in areas such as the nuclear fuel cycle and nuclear reactors.

The law emphasizes the use of nuclear energy technologies, underscoring the need to enhance the safety, economic viability, and sustainability of the nuclear energy industry.

A national energy work conference held in December 2025 emphasized that China will actively, safely, and orderly develop nuclear power in 2026 and proactively plan for future energy industries, such as hydrogen and nuclear energy.

By the end of 2025, China had 112 nuclear power units in operation, under construction, or approved for construction. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the number of commercially operational nuclear power units is expected to exceed 100. ■