electra-supply.comOn October 24, during an interview, Gu Jialiang, the team leader of the Maintenance Department at China National Nuclear Corporation’s Hainan Nuclear Power Company, stated, “The No. 1 and No. 2 units at the Hainan Changjiang Nuclear Power Base have achieved a perfect score on the WANO (World Association of Nuclear Operators) comprehensive index for four consecutive years. The No. 2 unit has safely and steadily operated for over 2,000 days.” He explained that the WANO comprehensive index encompasses various assessment criteria including power generation, operations, maintenance, and safety, and it serves as an internationally recognized metric for evaluating the overall operational performance of nuclear power plants.
From October 23 to 25, the 8th Nuclear Safety Culture Media Tour was held in Changjiang, Hainan, where nearly 50 journalists were invited by the Hainan Provincial Nuclear Emergency Office and the Hainan Provincial Publicity Department to explore the Hainan Changjiang Nuclear Power Base and learn about the measures in place to ensure nuclear safety.
The Hainan Changjiang Nuclear Power Base, located at the southernmost point of China, has provided a clean energy supply of 9 to 10 billion kilowatt-hours annually since the commissioning of its two units, accounting for about one-third of the province’s total electricity consumption. The ongoing Phase II project involves the construction of two “Hualong One” reactors and the world’s first land-based commercial modular small modular reactor, “Linglong One,” which is expected to further energize Hainan’s economic and social development.
“Linglong One” features a smaller, modular design with high safety standards, utilizing a steel containment shell and an outer shielding structure. The steel containment shell is designed to limit the release of radioactive materials, while the outer layer, made of reinforced concrete, can withstand impacts from airplane crashes, tornado debris, and external explosions.
Surrounding the Hainan Changjiang Nuclear Power Base are ten radiation monitoring sub-stations, which collect and analyze samples of air dust and rainwater in real time to assess any potential leakage of radioactive materials. “Since the nuclear power station commenced operations, none of the ten radiation monitoring sub-stations have reported any anomalies,” said Zhao Rizhen, director of the Operational Support Office at the Changjiang County Nuclear Emergency Management Center. He emphasized that the nuclear power base and local government collaboratively monitor the radiation sub-stations. “The nuclear power base has its own set of monitoring data, while we have ours, and by comparing both sets of data, we can ensure greater accuracy in our results.”
A 15-minute drive from the Hainan Changjiang Nuclear Power Base leads to the Hainan Changjiang Haiwei National Wetland Park, often referred to as a “paradise for birds,” where lush vegetation provides a wintering ground for migrating birds.
According to Xue Meili, deputy director of the Hainan Changjiang Haiwei National Wetland Park Management Center, “The number of bird species recorded in the wetland park has increased from 83 during the initial baseline survey to 210 today, including three species that are under first-class national protection and 39 that are second-class protected species.” She noted that biodiversity is a significant highlight of the wetland park, which hosts not only rare birds but also amphibians, reptiles, plants, and insects. “This is an indirect testament to the fact that nuclear power does not adversely affect the ecological environment, and that nuclear safety is reliably ensured.”
