China begins world’s first hybrid nuclear plant for industrial steam

China has commenced construction of the Xuwei Nuclear Heating and Power Plant in Jiangsu Province, marking the world’s first large-scale hybrid nuclear facility designed to supply industrial steam directly to the petrochemical sector. Developed by the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), this project integrates two generations of nuclear reactors—a third-generation Hualong One pressurized water reactor and a fourth-generation high-temperature gas-cooled reactor—to meet the extreme heat demands of heavy chemical manufacturing. The Hualong One produces base steam, which is then superheated by the gas-cooled reactor to the temperatures required for refining processes such as chemical cracking and distillation. Located adjacent to the Lianyungang petrochemical hub, the plant aims to replace coal-fired steam generation, drastically reducing carbon emissions in one of the most energy-intensive industries. Once operational, the facility will supply 32.5 million tons of industrial steam annually and generate over 11.5 billion kWh of clean electricity, saving 7.26 million tons