15 June 2025
Assembly of the core module of the Linglong-1 is seen completed on August 10, 2023, in South China's Hainan Province. Photo: VCG
In the heart of China's Hainan Province, Linglong-1, the world's first commercial modular nuclear reactor built on land, is about to go into operation. Developed by the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), this compact SMR-type reactor, also known as the ACP100, is expected to provide a new generation of nuclear power: safer, more affordable, and suitable for multiple spatial and industrial settings.
Similar to other projects we have told you about in the past, The Linglong-1 is distinguished by its small size and ability to deliver power continuously and reliably. It is precisely because of these characteristics that it has been nicknamed a “nuclear power bank.” In fact, compared with conventional reactors, small modular reactors (SMRs) like this one do not require large infrastructures and can be installed more quickly. They are designed for use in industrial areas, mining regions and remote territories where energy demand is constant but logistical resources are limited.
Each Linglong-1 reactor is capable of generating 125,000 kilowatts, equivalent to about 1 billion kilowatt hours per year. That is enough production to power 526,000 homes, corresponding to about 1 million people. The environmental impact is significant: by replacing coal-fired power plants, the reactor will help reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by about 880,000 tons, equal to the ecological benefit of planting 7.5 million trees.
But the importance of Linglong-1 does not end with the numbers. It is also the first SMR in the world to have successfully passed an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safety review back in 2016. The project is part of the strategy outlined in China's 14th Five-Year Plan, which aims to promote advanced nuclear technologies as a pillar of the country's energy transition.
Currently, CNNC engineers are conducting final tests on the reactor systems, including cold functional checks, a key phase before operational startup. Once the installation is complete, the plant will be integrated into the power grid of the Hainan Free Trade Port, strengthening local supply with environmentally friendly sources.
The success of the Linglong-1 comes after that of the Hualong One, a full-size reactor also developed by China. In this sense, the new SMR confirms the country's ability to innovate on its own in the nuclear sector and also to present itself as a leader in the export of modular technology, which is bound to attract the interest of many other states. Indeed, its features are perfectly suited to those countries (such as Italy) that wish to reduce dependence on coal or fossil sources without having to deal with the costs and complexities of traditional power plants.
