China’s CGN launches construction of the Zhaoyuan Nuclear Power Plant, featuring a groundbreaking natural draft cooling tower with new safety and environmental innovations, marking a significant step in the country’s clean energy ambitions.
China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) has launched full-scale construction of the Zhaoyuan Nuclear Power Plant in Shandong Province, marking a major stride in the country’s nuclear energy development and industrial decarbonisation efforts. This ambitious project, designed to house six Hualong One reactors, aims to generate approximately 50 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually, an output sufficient to meet the electricity needs of around five million people. Industry sources estimate the total installed capacity at about 7.2 million kilowatts (7.2 GWe), positioning the plant as a significant contributor to the region’s clean energy grid.
A key innovation at Zhaoyuan is the integration of a 203-meter-high natural draft cooling tower, the first application of such a structure on a Hualong One reactor. This represents a pivotal shift in cooling technology. Traditionally, coastal nuclear facilities rely heavily on direct seawater cooling, but the Zhaoyuan plant employs a secondary-circuit cooling system that utilises atmospheric cooling with water reuse capabilities. This design not only reduces energy consumption but also broadens the geographic siting possibilities for future nuclear projects by mitigating dependence on coastal water sources.
Yu Xiangdong, executive director of Shandong Zhaoyuan Nuclear Power Co, explained that the cooling tower’s spray area spans an impressive 16,800 square metres and facilitates this shift effectively. The project underscores environmental sustainability: by replacing the need for coal-fired generation with nuclear power, it is expected to cut coal consumption by around 15.27 million tons and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 46.2 million tons annually. These reductions offer an environmental benefit comparable to planting over 110,000 hectares of forest, highlighting the plant’s pivotal role in combatting carbon emissions within China’s energy matrix.
From a safety perspective, the Zhaoyuan plant introduces a dual-layer “natural + mechanical” cooling system intended to enhance operational resilience. Yang Yazhang, deputy general manager of CGN Power Engineering Co, detailed that the natural draft tower can maintain cooling operations for at least two hours without external water supply, providing critical time to safely shut down the reactor if needed. Complementing this, a nuclear-grade mechanical draft cooling tower is equipped with a substantial on-site water tank capable of sustaining cooling for up to 30 days without replenishment. This layered safety approach covers both conventional and nuclear sections of the plant, reflecting rigorous engineering standards aimed at ensuring continuous, fail-safe operations.
The construction milestone was marked by the pouring of the first concrete for Unit 1’s reactor building in November 2025, following official approval from China’s State Council in August 2024. The total investment for the Zhaoyuan project is around CNY 120 billion (USD 16.9 billion), with an anticipated construction period of 50 to 60 months per unit. The project is managed by Shandong Zhaoyuan Nuclear Power Company, a CGN subsidiary, and is poised to be CGN’s tenth nuclear power base, further consolidating the company’s role as a key player in China’s nuclear sector.
Experts, including Lin Boqiang, director of the China Center for Energy Economics Research at Xiamen University, have noted the strategic importance of adapting the Hualong One technology with cooling towers at a coastal site. While cooling towers are customary for inland facilities, their integration here showcases China’s manufacturing versatility and its capacity to tailor nuclear infrastructure to local environmental constraints and resource availability. This adaptability is crucial for the sustainable transformation of the nation’s energy system, leveraging nuclear power’s low-carbon credentials alongside other clean energy sources.
Overall, the Zhaoyuan Nuclear Power Plant exemplifies China’s commitment to expanding its nuclear energy capacity through advanced technology and innovative design, thereby supporting national decarbonisation objectives and enhancing energy security. As the first of its kind to combine the Hualong One reactor with pioneering secondary-circuit cooling technology, the project offers a valuable reference model for future nuclear developments both within China and globally.
- https://interestingengineering.com/energy/china-building-zhaoyuan-nuclear-plant – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202511/1348484.shtml – China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) has commenced full-scale construction of its first Hualong One nuclear unit equipped with a cooling tower at the Zhaoyuan Nuclear Power Plant in Shandong Province. The project plans to build six Hualong One reactors with a total installed capacity of about 7.2 million kilowatts. Once completed, the plant is expected to generate 50 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, sufficient to meet the annual needs of approximately 5 million people. The facility features a 203-meter-high natural draft cooling tower, marking the first application of secondary-circuit cooling technology to a Hualong One unit. This design allows the plant to shift its primary cooling source from seawater to the atmosphere, enabling water reuse and reducing energy consumption. The cooling tower can sustain operations for at least two hours without an external water supply, providing a crucial buffer for a safe shutdown. Additionally, the plant includes a nuclear-grade mechanical draft cooling tower with a large on-site water tank capable of sustaining reactor cooling for at least 30 days without replenishment. These dual-layer cooling systems form a comprehensive protection system for both the conventional and nuclear islands of the plant. The Zhaoyuan project demonstrates the versatility of China’s manufacturing base and its ability to adapt nuclear facilities to meet specific environmental requirements and resource limitations.
- https://www.yicaiglobal.com/news/china-begins-building-first-hualong-one-reactor-with-cooling-tower – China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) has begun full-scale construction of its first Hualong One nuclear unit equipped with a cooling tower at the Zhaoyuan Nuclear Power Plant in Shandong Province. The project plans to build six Hualong One reactors with a total installed capacity of about 7.2 million kilowatts. Once completed, the plant is expected to generate 50 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, sufficient to meet the annual needs of approximately 5 million people. The facility features a 203-meter-high natural draft cooling tower, marking the first application of secondary-circuit cooling technology to a Hualong One unit. This design allows the plant to shift its primary cooling source from seawater to the atmosphere, enabling water reuse and reducing energy consumption. The cooling tower can sustain operations for at least two hours without an external water supply, providing a crucial buffer for a safe shutdown. Additionally, the plant includes a nuclear-grade mechanical draft cooling tower with a large on-site water tank capable of sustaining reactor cooling for at least 30 days without replenishment. These dual-layer cooling systems form a comprehensive protection system for both the conventional and nuclear islands of the plant. The Zhaoyuan project demonstrates the versatility of China’s manufacturing base and its ability to adapt nuclear facilities to meet specific environmental requirements and resource limitations.
- https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202511/18/WS691c6eb9a310d6866eb2a24e.html – Construction has commenced on a new nuclear power unit in China’s Shandong province. The new cooling tower for the domestically-designed Hualong One, the country’s third-generation reactor, has been described by those behind the project as a significant step in the expansion of China’s clean energy infrastructure. The project, located in Zhaoyuan, Yantai, is being run by the China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN). Once complete, it will be CGN’s tenth nuclear power base, with plans to ultimately house six Hualong One units at the site. The most distinctive feature of the Zhaoyuan project is the integration of a 203-meter-high high-level water recovery natural draft cooling tower. This is the first time secondary cycle cooling technology has been applied to a Hualong One reactor. Once all six planned Hualong One units are completed, the Zhaoyuan plant is expected to achieve an annual power generation capacity of 50 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh).
- https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/construction-of-new-chinese-nuclear-power-plant-begins – The first safety-related concrete has been poured for the reactor building of unit 1 at the Zhaoyuan nuclear power plant in Shandong province. It is the first of six HPR1000 (Hualong One) units planned for the site. In November 2022, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment announced the formal acceptance of the environmental impact assessment documents covering the site selection stage for the Zhaoyuan plant. Construction of Phase I (units 1 and 2) of the Zhaoyuan plant was approved by China’s State Council in August 2024. The project is being constructed and operated by Shandong Zhaoyuan Nuclear Power Company, a subsidiary of China General Nuclear (CGN). The plant, representing a total investment of about CNY120 billion (USD16.9 billion), will eventually house six Hualong One units. Each unit is expected to start generating power 50-60 months after the start of its construction.
- https://www.ecns.cn/m/news/cns-wire/2025-11-18/detail-ihexemqz9465781.shtml – Construction of China General Nuclear Power Corp.’s first “Hualong One” nuclear plant began Tuesday as the No. 1 unit at Zhaoyuan Nuclear Power Plant in Shandong Province reached the first concrete date (FCD) for the reactor. The milestone marks full-scale civil construction at the facility, China’s latest third-generation nuclear reactor project. “Hualong One” is a third-generation nuclear technology independently developed by China, and currently has the largest number of operational and under-construction units worldwide. The Zhaoyuan project plans to build six Hualong One reactors, with a combined installed capacity of approximately 7.2 million kilowatts. Once complete, it will be able to meet the annual electricity demand of about five million people for both residential and industrial use.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhaoyuan_Nuclear_Power_Plant – Zhaoyuan Nuclear Power Plant is a nuclear power plant in Shandong province, China. It is planned to house six Hualong One pressurized water reactors, which will produce about 50 terawatt-hours per year. The plant is located in Zhangxing, Zhaoyuan, Yantai, Shandong. Because it is several kilometers inland, southeast of Laizhou Bay, it will be the first plant to use a 203-meter-high cooling tower. The project is being constructed and will be operated by Shandong Zhaoyuan Nuclear Power Company, a subsidiary of China General Nuclear (CGN). The plant is expected to cost about CNY120 billion (US$16.9 billion). In August 2024, the State Council approved 11 reactors, including the first two at Zhaoyuan. In November 2025, the first nuclear concrete was poured for Zhaoyuan 1. Construction is expected to take 50–60 months.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is based on a press release from China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN), dated November 18, 2025, announcing the commencement of full-scale construction of the Zhaoyuan Nuclear Power Plant in Shandong Province. This is the earliest known publication date for this information. The report includes updated data and specific details, such as the pouring of the first concrete for Unit 1’s reactor building in November 2025, following official approval from China’s State Council in August 2024. The total investment for the Zhaoyuan project is around CNY 120 billion (USD 16.9 billion), with an anticipated construction period of 50 to 60 months per unit. These updates justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. ([globaltimes.cn](https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202511/1348484.shtml?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from Yu Xiangdong, executive director of Shandong Zhaoyuan Nuclear Power Co, and Yang Yazhang, deputy general manager of CGN Power Engineering Co. These quotes are consistent with those found in the original press release and other reputable sources, indicating they are not reused from earlier material. ([globaltimes.cn](https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202511/1348484.shtml?utm_source=openai))
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN), a reputable organisation in the nuclear energy sector. The report is consistent with information from other reputable outlets, such as the Global Times and China Daily, confirming the reliability of the source. ([globaltimes.cn](https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202511/1348484.shtml?utm_source=openai))
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims made in the narrative are plausible and supported by multiple reputable sources. The integration of a 203-meter-high natural draft cooling tower in the Zhaoyuan Nuclear Power Plant is a significant innovation in China’s nuclear energy development. The project’s total investment of CNY 120 billion (USD 16.9 billion) and the anticipated construction period of 50 to 60 months per unit are consistent with industry standards for large-scale nuclear power projects. ([globaltimes.cn](https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202511/1348484.shtml?utm_source=openai))
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is based on a recent press release from China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN), dated November 18, 2025, announcing the commencement of full-scale construction of the Zhaoyuan Nuclear Power Plant in Shandong Province. The report includes updated data and specific details, such as the pouring of the first concrete for Unit 1’s reactor building in November 2025, following official approval from China’s State Council in August 2024. The total investment for the Zhaoyuan project is around CNY 120 billion (USD 16.9 billion), with an anticipated construction period of 50 to 60 months per unit. These updates justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. The quotes from CGN executives are consistent with those found in the original press release and other reputable sources, indicating they are not reused from earlier material. The source of the narrative, CGN, is a reputable organisation in the nuclear energy sector, and the claims made are plausible and supported by multiple reputable sources. Therefore, the overall assessment is a PASS with high confidence.
