China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) unveiled the latest version of its proprietary Hualong One nuclear reactor design during its 2026 Annual Sustainability Conference on Monday in Shenzhen, Guangdong province. The Hualong One 2.0 represents a significant advancement in China’s independently developed third-generation nuclear technology, aimed at strengthening the country’s position in the global nuclear energy market.
The updated reactor design includes improvements across nine key safety indicators, reflecting a focus on both enhanced operational security and cost efficiency. A notable innovation is the integration of the next-generation FirmSys digital instrumentation and control system, which is China’s first domestically developed nuclear safety-grade system of its kind. This upgrade reduces the hardware cabinet volume by approximately 40 percent and incorporates advanced artificial intelligence technologies, including knowledge graphs, to streamline daily operations. According to CGN, these enhancements reduce operator workload by about 30 percent and cut routine maintenance requirements in half, thereby minimizing the potential for human error and improving plant availability.
Experts view the launch as a milestone that transitions China’s nuclear technology from proven domestic use to a global industry standard. Lin Boqiang, head of the China Institute for Studies in Energy Policy at Xiamen University, noted that the design upgrades lower full lifecycle capital and maintenance costs while boosting safety standards. This positions China as an increasingly competitive supplier of nuclear power solutions for worldwide clean energy initiatives.
The Hualong One 2.0 design also incorporates modular construction techniques to shorten installation timelines and reduce upfront capital expenditures. Its advanced passive safety features enable the reactor to sustain safe shutdown conditions for up to 72 hours without human intervention or emergency external power in critical scenarios. These qualities enhance the reactor’s appeal to international utilities seeking reliable, cost-effective, and safe nuclear options.
Currently, 10 Hualong One units are commercially operational both within China and overseas, with an additional 37 units approved or under construction. This places the Hualong One design as the most widely deployed third-generation nuclear reactor model worldwide, underscoring its proven reliability and large-scale manufacturing capabilities.
China’s nuclear energy sector has rapidly expanded in recent years, supported by robust innovation across related technologies such as small modular reactors, nuclear fusion, and advanced fuel cycles. The National Energy Administration reported a nuclear power output of 467 billion kilowatt-hours in 2025 alongside record engineering investments of 161 billion yuan (approximately $24 billion) in 2024. Through its extensive domestic network and growing international presence, CGN has supplied more than 370 billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity to global markets, signaling a strategic push to export China’s nuclear expertise amid the worldwide energy transition.