China National Nuclear Corporation announced at a July 22 symposium on advanced nuclear energy, that the preliminary design of its first commercial fourth-generation fast neutron reactor, the CFR-1000, has been completed. It is awaiting approval and is expected to become operational after 2030.
“Fast reactors are a crucial step in China’s ‘three-step’ strategy of nuclear energy development: thermal reactors, fast reactors and fusion reactors,” CNNC announced. “After more than a decade of research, exploration and engineering practice, China has now independently mastered all the core technologies and supporting technologies for large fast reactors, and has formed the most complete fast reactor industry chain.”
China has been working on fast reactors since the 1960s and the 20-megawatt, Russian-built China Experimental Fast Reactor in Beijing was connected to the grid in 2011. Russia also operates the world’s largest capacity fast reactor, the BN-800 with a capacity of over 800 MW output. The CFR-1000 will have a capacity of 1.2 GW.
