China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) on 18 July announced the launch of a project to construct its multi-purpose low-power reactor, Linglong One or ACP100 at Changjiang in Hainan province.

In March, China’s Nuclear World reported that first concrete for the project would be poured on 31 December. Construction is expected to take 65 months, for startup in May 2025, subject to relevant governmental approvals.

CNNC began development of the Linglong One small modular reactor project in 2010, and it was the first SMR project to pass an independent safety assessment by IAEA experts in 2016, thereby becoming a reference point for international efforts to develop small modular multi-purpose reactors.

The 125MWe multi-purpose reactor is designed for electricity production, heating, steam production or seawater desalination. The ACP100 integrated pressurised water reactor (PWR) design was completed in 2014. The major components of its primary coolant circuit are installed within the reactor pressure vessel.  

It was identified as a 'key project' in China's 12th Five-Year Plan and is developed from the larger ACP1000 PWR. The design, which has 57 fuel assemblies and integral steam generators, incorporates passive safety features and will be installed underground.  

A two-unit demonstration plant was initially planned for construction by CNNC New Energy Corporation – a joint venture of CNNC (51%) and China Guodian Corp – in Putian county, in south Fujian province. However, in early 2017, the site for the first ACP100 units was changed to Changjiang, with a larger reactor to be built at Putian. It will be sited to the north-west side of the Changjiang NPP, where two CNP600 PWRs are operating, with two Hualong One units planned, according to a China's Ministry of Environment.  

CNNC said: "The Linglong One demonstration project will verify the design, manufacture, construction and operation of the technology. It will also help the company gain experience of running small nuclear power stations and enable it to explore the future market for small reactors."

Photo: China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) announces the start of its small multipurpose modular reactor in Hainan on July 18 (Credit: CNNC)