The Linglong One, being constructed in Hainan Province, China, will be the world’s first land-based small modular reactor (SMR) once completed in 2026.
This technology can meet various needs and is utilized for desalination, with the capability to provide electricity and fresh water for small islands.
Linglong One is a multifunctional small modular pressurized water reactor. (Photo: Xinhua).
According to the Global Times, the core module of the world’s first small modular nuclear reactor (SMR) completed testing at the factory on July 13, marking a breakthrough in SMR technology innovation in China.
The reactor, named Linglong One, is a multifunctional small modular pressurized water reactor developed by the China National Nuclear Corporation. The core module is the main device of Linglong One, designed, developed, and independently procured by the China Institute of Atomic Energy.
The SMR consists of a pressure vessel, a steam generator, and other components. According to Wu Qiong, an official from the Dalian Nuclear Power Chemical Group under the First Heavy Industry Group, researchers have made breakthroughs in several key technologies, enabling the core module to realize engineering applications and smoothly pass the final approval.
In 2016, Linglong One became the world’s first small reactor to pass the safety assessment of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Once construction is completed, Linglong One’s annual electricity output will reach 1 billion kWh, meeting the needs of approximately 526,000 households. This technology is also designed to assist in urban heating, urban cooling, industrial steam production, and seawater desalination.
The proliferation of small reactors could significantly reduce China’s fossil fuel consumption, promote energy savings, and lower emissions. According to Bloomberg, no other country in the world is investing in nuclear power “more aggressively” than China. The Chinese government plans to invest $440 billion to build new plants over the next 15 years, aiming to surpass the United States to become the leading nuclear power producer.
