Rongcheng Explores "Nuclear Power": "Guohe No.1" and the Nuclear Power Iron Army Behind It
On the easternmost coastline of the Jiaodong Peninsula, Rongcheng Shidao Bay, where the sea meets the sky, a third-generation nuclear power demonstration project with the code name "Guohe No.1" has risen from the ground. The towering steel dome and the blue sky complement each other. This behemoth with a diameter of 43 meters, a circumference of 135 meters, and a height of 75 meters, combined with surrounding facilities, looks like a giant ship ready to sail. Recently, staff members of the Shandong Equipment Manufacturing Industry Association set foot on this hot land and visited China Nuclear Industry Second and Third Construction Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "CNNC Second and Third"), which is responsible for the construction of the "Guohe No.1" project, for in-depth exchanges with project executive manager Chen Yong and others. A story about a great power's heavy equipment and nuclear power iron army slowly unfolds
According to Chen Yong, nuclear power projects are truly "national treasures", with high construction technology and strict process requirements that are rare in the world. Guohe No.1 "is a third-generation nuclear power technology brand independently developed by China, using CAP1400 pressurized water reactor technology. Based on the introduction, digestion, and absorption of third-generation passive pressurized water reactor nuclear power technology, 50 years of research and development, design, and engineering experience in nuclear power plants in China, as well as nearly 30 years of safety construction and operation experience in Chinese nuclear power units, it has completely independent intellectual property rights and represents the most advanced nuclear power level in the world today. The designed service life is 60 years, with an annual carbon dioxide reduction of about 9 million tons and a single unit power generation of 1.5 million kilowatts; Over the course of 12 years of research and development, more than 700 units and over 30000 technical personnel have participated, resulting in over 14000 intellectual property achievements. This marks the transition of China's nuclear power technology from a follower to a leader, achieving a leapfrog development. The "Guohe No.1" adopts a passive safety design concept, which can automatically cool down the reactor in the event of an accident without relying on external power sources and power equipment, ensuring safety within 72 hours. In the "Guohe No.1" project, China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) No. 23 undertakes the heavy responsibility of nuclear island installation and construction. Faced with the new third-generation nuclear power reactor model, they have made advance arrangements for scientific research and jointly solved technical difficulties with design units and equipment manufacturers. For example, the project conducted construction technology research on the innovative use of double-layer steel reinforced concrete (SC) structure for the safety shell of the CAP1400 nuclear power plant, successfully developed automatic welding technology for steel safety shells, and applied it for the first time in the CAP1400 demonstration project. The welding efficiency was doubled compared to manual welding, and the consumption of welding materials was reduced by one-third, significantly reducing construction time and costs; Solved the key problems in the entire process of assembly, transportation, hoisting, high-altitude assembly, welding, residual stress relief, and self compacting concrete pouring of SC structure, and promoted its application in the construction of steel lining and stainless steel of "Hualong No.1" and the construction of demonstration fast reactor steel arch crown.
On March 13, 2025, Xinhua News Agency was authorized to release the major innovative achievements of the implementation of the 2024 National Economic and Social Development Plan, which pointed out that the first reactor of the third-generation independent property rights nuclear power "Guohe No.1" demonstration project has been completed and put into operation, providing strong support for China's energy structure transformation and "dual carbon" goals. As a major energy province, Shandong has an urgent need for clean and low-carbon energy. The first operation of Guohe-1 in December 2024 has generated 9.7 billion kilowatt hours of electricity, providing a continuous supply of clean power to Shandong and even North China. With the help of good winds, send me to the blue clouds. "As a major national science and technology project," Guohe No.1 "has given wings to the fertile land of Shandong to soar, and" Guohe No.1 "will also bring light and hope to the land of Qilu.
There is an iron army in the sea corner, hiding the front and shining snow "- Walking to the outskirts of the construction site of" Guohe No.1 ", what catches the eye is the towering nuclear island, where the busy builders are known as the" nuclear iron army "of China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) Second and Third Companies. As the largest nuclear engineering comprehensive installation enterprise in China, CNNC 23, formerly known as the 103rd Bureau of the Second Ministry of Machinery Industry, has been fighting on the front line of nuclear industry construction since its establishment in 1958. It has a glorious history of 67 years and is also the only national team in the world that has been continuously engaged in nuclear power construction for 40 years. This rich growth history is not only a history of arduous entrepreneurship, but also a song of daring to be the first and pursuing excellence in the nuclear industry.
The second and third nuclei are born from the nucleus and become stronger from the nucleus. In the early stages of the nuclear industry, they went to Northwest China to participate in the "Two Bombs and One Satellite" project, making outstanding contributions to China's nuclear fuel base and nuclear weapon development. After the reform and opening up, China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) resolutely entered the field of civil engineering and participated in the construction of the first nuclear power plant in mainland China, the Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant, ending the history of no nuclear power in mainland China; Subsequently, it undertook the construction of the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Station, marking the beginning of large-scale commercial nuclear power plant construction. Afterwards, the company accompanied China's nuclear power to leap from 300000 kilowatts to millions of kilowatts. As of June 2025, China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) has built and produced a total of 97 sets of electric power units, of which 65 have been put into commercial operation and 32 are under construction. This is equivalent to reducing standard coal consumption by 120 million tons annually on the "dual carbon" track.
China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) remains invincible in the fierce market competition, relying on the magic weapon of technology to win. For many years, the company has adhered to independent innovation and overcome one technical bottleneck after another in the field of nuclear engineering construction, achieving the localization of key equipment and processes and filling the domestic gap. For example, in the "Guohe No.1" project, key equipment and materials such as blast valves, pressure vessels, and steam generators have long relied on imports. Now, with the efforts of China National Nuclear Corporation's second and third units, all of them have been designed and manufactured domestically, making China's nuclear power industry chain a global leader in multiple sub sectors.
In addition to hardware equipment research and development, China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) has also vigorously promoted the application of digital and intelligent construction technology, leading the transformation and upgrading of traditional construction methods. As early as 2020, the construction of "smart construction sites" was launched to create a smart nuclear power based on digital twins, realizing application scenarios such as intelligent monitoring, intelligent operation, and intelligent maintenance, improving construction efficiency, and further ensuring construction safety and engineering quality. China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) also attaches great importance to green construction and sustainable development, promoting factory prefabrication and modular construction during the construction process, transferring a large number of operations to workshops to reduce on-site noise, dust, and waste emissions. Strict environmental management is implemented on the construction site, and wastewater and waste residue are classified and treated to ensure that the surrounding waters and soil are not polluted. The concept of green construction is practiced through practical actions, safeguarding the beautiful and prosperous blue sea and sky.
China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) has deepened its core business in nuclear power and actively expanded its equipment manufacturing and engineering services in non nuclear fields in China, forming a diversified business pattern. It has undertaken a number of high-quality projects in the fields of petrochemicals, aerospace, municipal environmental protection, and new energy, and has created multiple industry benchmarks, such as the world's largest phthalic anhydride production plant, the world's largest dairy industry park, and the largest single unit coal chemical project approved during the 13th Five Year Plan period. CNNC has participated in the construction and smooth delivery, creating economic benefits for the company and polishing the "CNNC" brand, consolidating its leading position in the domestic engineering construction field; In the international market, CNNC 23 has actively participated in the nuclear energy and infrastructure construction of the countries along the "the Belt and Road". It has successively undertaken projects in Iraq, Georgia, Namibia, Vietnam, Malaysia and other countries, and exported China's nuclear power construction capability and management experience. The Hushan uranium mine project contracted in Namibia, Africa, has performed well and won the Luban Award for overseas projects in China, becoming a milestone for CNNC 23's overseas expansion. It has trained its team, accumulated international engineering experience, and trained a number of technical talents for the local area, promoted the local economic development, and established a good image of Chinese enterprises as responsible and responsible.
Standing at a new historical starting point, China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) continues to uphold the nuclear industry spirit of "two bombs, one satellite" and "four everything". While focusing on the main business of nuclear energy engineering and consolidating its leading advantages in the field of nuclear power installation, it vigorously expands into emerging business areas such as new energy and environmental protection, and cultivates new economic growth points. China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) will transform from a traditional construction enterprise to a technology-based and management oriented enterprise through technological innovation, market expansion, and management improvement, and achieve the strategic goal of "building an internationally competitive engineering company".
The Rongcheng exploration of "nuclear" journey allows us to closely appreciate the independent innovation capability of a major country's heavy equipment and the outstanding style of its nuclear power iron army. Every detail is inspiring. We believe that under the guidance of the national "dual carbon" strategy, the completion and operation of "Guohe No.1" will add a strong engine to China's energy security and economic development; China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) will also ride the wind and break the waves in the new journey, 'hanging the cloud sail and sailing across the sea'!
Article: Guo Guangli
Image: Rongxin Enterprise Official Website
