The world's first fourth generation nuclear power plant, the China Shidao Bay High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor Nuclear Power Plant, has officially entered commercial operation.

This project is located in Shandong Province, China with fully independent intellectual property rights, and is jointly developed by China Huaneng Group, Tsinghua University, and China National Nuclear Corporation.

Zhang Zuoyi, Chief Designer of the HTGR Nuclear Power Plant Major Project and Dean of the Institute of Nuclear Energy and New Energy Technology at Tsinghua University, stated that HTGR is an advanced reactor type characterized by the fourth generation nuclear power technology and is a key development direction for nuclear power.

With "safety" as the key feature, the reactor can maintain a safe state to prevent the melting or leakage of radioactive materials. Zhang added that even in the case of complete loss of cooling capacity, this ability can be maintained without any intervention measures.

More than 500 professional companies in design and development, engineering construction, equipment manufacturing, production and operation have participated in this project. The project leader Zhang Yanxu said that the localization rate of nuclear power plant equipment has reached over 90%.

He pointed out that the commercial operation of nuclear power plants is of great significance for improving the safety, scientific, technological, and innovative capabilities of China's nuclear power development.

The Shidao Bay High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor Nuclear Power Plant started construction in December 2012 and first generated electricity in December 2021.