Floating nuclear power for China?

Construction on the first floating nuclear power plant in China has begun after China General Nuclear (CGN) – China’s largest nuclear power operator – signed a pressure vessel purchase agreement for its planned offshore 200 MW ‘ACPR50S’ nuclear reactor. 

The purchasing agreement was made with state-owned generator manufacturer Dongfang Electric, and the reactor is planned to be fully operational by 2020. 

CGN says it has completed the conceptual and programme design for the reactor, which is based on the company’s previous expertise in developing large-scale commercial pressurised water reactors. The plant could be a reliable source of electricity and heat generation for residents living in coastal areas and a source of power for oil and gas production projects nearby.

The ACPR50S design was approved by China’s National Development and Reform Commission in late December 2015 as part of the country’s 13th Five-Year Plan for innovative energy technologies.

The vessel purchase agreement comes after CGN signed a cooperation agreement with the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation back in January 2016, devised to promote collaboration on nuclear power offshore projects in China.