China is set to establish the world’s first fusion-fission reactor by 2031, showcasing its ambition in advanced energy technologies, with a significant investment and innovative construction plans.
China is taking significant steps towards establishing the world’s first fusion-fission reactor with the planned Xinghuo high-temperature superconducting reactor, set to commence operations by 2031. The development of this advanced nuclear power generation facility underscores China’s ambition to lead globally in cutting-edge energy technologies.
The project is located in Jiangxi province (pictured), with a budget of approximately 20 billion yuan (roughly US$2.76 billion), which aligns with the costs associated with constructing traditional nuclear plants. The name “Xinghuo”, translating to “spark” in English, reflects the innovative essence of the endeavour. Once operational, the reactor is expected to generate 100 megawatts of continuous electricity, accounting for about 10% of the output of a conventional nuclear power station.
Wu Rui, president of Jiangxi Electronics Group, a state-owned enterprise overseeing the project, indicated in a recent media engagement that funding for the reactor is currently being sourced, with an expectation of tangible developments by the end of the second quarter of 2025. He outlined a timeline for the project, stating that system design would be finalised within the year, with production and testing of relevant equipment scheduled from 2026 to 2027, assembly and trials from 2028 to 2029, and the completion of the first phase anticipated in 2031.
Despite these plans, Wu did not confirm whether the reactor would be ready for power generation by the target date. Notably, a visit in March by Shi Fayong, the deputy general manager of China Nuclear Industry 23 Construction Co Ltd, highlighted ongoing collaboration between various state-owned enterprises, with discussions focusing on the site’s development.
In a public procurement initiative, Jiangxi Electronics has posted a tender seeking a contractor for the environmental impact assessment necessary for the facility, which will be situated on Yaohu Science Island within Nanchang’s hi-tech zone. This project is being propelled forward following a cooperation agreement established in November 2023 between Jiangxi Electronics’ division, Lianovation Superconductor, and the CNNC Fusion (Chengdu) Design and Research Institute.
The proposed reactor will utilize principles of magnetic confinement fusion, wherein plasma particles, specifically isotopes of hydrogen (deuterium and tritium), are contained within a tokamak, a fusion machine initially devised by Soviet scientists in the late 1950s. However, in this hybrid system, fast neutrons will interact with uranium-238 or thorium-232 to initiate fission, a process reportedly more feasible than achieving entirely pure fusion.
A key safety feature involves the slowing of fission reactions once fusion reactions cease, reducing the risk of nuclear meltdown scenarios. Nevertheless, the project awaits approval from the State Council of China, a crucial step still pending.
Historically, China’s plans for expanding nuclear energy faced setbacks after the Fukushima disaster in Japan in 2011 led to a suspension of all inland nuclear projects due to safety concerns. Post-Fukushima, the site earmarked for a nuclear plant in Pengze was repurposed into a solar power facility. More recently, in August 2022, the State Council greenlit five new nuclear projects, comprising a total of 11 reactors located in various coastal provinces, with an estimated collective investment of around US$31 billion.
Duan Xuru, chief nuclear fusion scientist at CNNC, recently stated that plans are underway to demonstrate pure fusion energy applications by 2045, with hopes of commercialisation by 2050. He emphasised the long-standing engagement of scientific institutions and state-owned enterprises in nuclear fusion research, noting the increasing participation of private firms and social capital in recent years.
While entities within the sector are optimistic about the timeline for the fusion power plant, researchers like Xu Chunyang from the China Institute of Nuclear Industry Strategy have urged for a realistic appraisal of the challenges. Xu highlighted the substantial costs associated with research and development in fusion energy and acknowledged the time required to address the intricate problems involved in these scientific initiatives.
