Major Progress Made in the Demonstration Project of High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor Nuclear Power Plant—A Major National Technological Project

On October 7, 2008, a ceremony was held in Beijing Diaoyutai State Guest House to mark the execution of the EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) agreement and the contract for supply of main equipment for the demonstration project of high-temperature gas-cooled reactor nuclear power plant—Huaneng Shandong Shidao Bay Nuclear Power Plant, a major national technological project. Zhang Guobao, Deputy Chairman of NDRC and Director of NEA, and Li Ganjie, Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Director of State Bureau of Nuclear Safety, attended the ceremony and jointly unveiled the plaque for the demonstration project.

The project is a demonstration project of high-temperature gas-cooled reactor nuclear power plant of 200MW,which is constructed on the basis of the technology for a 10MW high-temperature gas-cooled experimental reactor designed and operated by Tsinghua University independently, with great strategic significance for China to master advanced nuclear energy technology of a new generation, promote the progress of nuclear energy technology, enhance the capability for independent innovation, accelerate the localization process of nuclear power construction and fulfill the strategy for sustainable energy development. It is one of the 16 major national technological projects listed in the Outline of the National Plan for Medium and Long-term Development of Science and Technology (2006-2020). On February 15, 2008, the overall implementation plan for the project was reviewed and adopted at the executive meeting of the State Council. The pre-launch work of the project is now proceeding well.

The execution of the EPC agreement and the contract for main equipment mean another substantive step forward in the smooth promotion of the project.The project owner is Huaneng Shandong Shidao Bay Nuclear Power Co., Ltd., a joint venture launched by China Huaneng Group, China Nuclear Engineering Group Co. and Tsinghua Holdings Co., Ltd. in January 2007 to be responsible for the construction and operation of the project. In phase 1, it is planned to build one set of high-temperature gas-cooled reactor nuclear power unit of 200MW. Start of construction is scheduled in September 2009 and operation in November 2013.