Hualong One
On November 27, 2020, the world's first "Hualong One" nuclear reactor—the Unit 5 of Fuqing Nuclear Power Plant operated by China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC)—was successfully connected to the grid for the first time. On January 30, 2021, the world's first "Hualong One" nuclear power unit—Unit 5 of CNNC's Fuqing Nuclear Power Plant in Fujian—entered commercial operation. At 1:15 a.m. on May 20, 2021, the first overseas Hualong One project—the Karachi Unit 2 in Pakistan—officially entered commercial operation.
This marks China's successful breakthrough of foreign nuclear power technology monopolies, officially entering the ranks of advanced nuclear power technology nations. It is of great significance for China's transition from a major nuclear power country to a strong nuclear power nation, further enhancing the confidence of countries along the "Belt and Road" in the Hualong One technology, and establishing it as a "national calling card" for China's nuclear power going global. As early as 2013, Anhui Cable Co., Ltd. (referred to as "AnCable"), a subsidiary of Far East Smart Energy Co., Ltd. (referred to as: Far East Shares, Stock Code: 600869), began collaborating with CNNC on the development of nuclear-grade cables for the "Hualong One" project.
"Hualong One" is an advanced million-kilowatt pressurized water reactor (PWR) nuclear technology developed by CNNC based on over thirty years of nuclear power research, design, manufacturing, construction, and operational experience. It incorporates lessons learned from the Fukushima nuclear accident and meets the latest Chinese and global safety requirements, representing the culmination of China's decades of nuclear power technology and experience.
"Hualong One" has a design life of 60 years. The reactor uses a 177-fuel-assembly core design with an 18-month refueling cycle and a plant availability rate as high as 90%. It innovatively adopts a safety system combining "active and passive" features and a double containment structure, meeting the highest international safety standards.
Notably, "Hualong One" is a third-generation PWR nuclear technology with complete independent intellectual property rights. All core components are domestically produced, with a localization rate exceeding 85%, marking China's technological leap from independent design, manufacturing, construction, and operation to complete ownership of intellectual property in the nuclear power field.
Behind the construction of the "Hualong One" project are numerous top-tier enterprises from various fields, and the successful completion of the project relies heavily on the high-quality products and services provided by these leading companies. Taking cables as an example, nuclear-grade cables, as one of the critical supporting products for nuclear power plants, are vital arteries ensuring the normal operation of all systems. Failure to meet performance standards or satisfy requirements under normal and accident conditions could lead to unpredictable severe consequences. This imposes extremely high demands on nuclear-grade cables.
Unlike conventional cables, nuclear-grade cables must meet the following conditions: they must not burn even in intense fire and must operate safely for 60 years at temperatures up to 90 degrees Celsius; they must remain functional after exposure to high-dose radiation, high temperature and pressure, and immersion in acidic or alkaline solutions. Due to these unimaginably stringent requirements and the highest manufacturing difficulty in the industry, nuclear-grade cables have long been regarded as the "pearl on the crown" of the cable industry. A seemingly simple nuclear-grade cable often integrates cutting-edge technologies from more than ten fields, including nuclear physics, communications, chemistry, polymers, and radio technology, creating extremely high barriers and resulting in long-term monopolization by a few foreign companies.
As a leading enterprise in China's cable industry, AnCable was determined to break foreign technological monopolies and deeply engaged in the R&D process of "Hualong One." By continuously increasing R&D investment, it provided high-quality nuclear-grade cable products and technical service support, ensuring the safe and smooth operation of "Hualong One's" "blood vessels."
As a cable company dedicated to the R&D, production, and sales of nuclear-grade cables, AnCable has been deeply involved in the nuclear power field for over twenty years. Its nuclear-grade cable products are widely used in power transmission, control, and measurement systems inside and outside the containment of second- and third-generation nuclear power plants. Based on its solid foundation and strong capabilities in the nuclear power sector, AnCable gained the favor of China Nuclear Power Engineering Co., Ltd. After nearly three years of R&D, testing, and verification, AnCable successfully overcame the technical challenges for cables used in third-generation nuclear power plants, developing nuclear-grade cables for both inside and outside the containment of the "Hualong One" reactor. These cables offer high safety and excellent performance, effectively withstanding harsh external environments. They successfully passed the scientific and technological achievement appraisal organized by CNNC's Department of Science and Technology, which concluded that the technology reached international advanced levels, filled domestic gaps, won the Second Prize of the Nuclear Energy Industry Science and Technology Award, and obtained design and manufacturing license certificates from the National Nuclear Safety Administration.
According to relevant engineers at AnCable, this product has innovatively achieved several "firsts." For example, it is the first to adopt a special cable structure using low-smoke, halogen-free, flame-retardant, irradiated cross-linked polyolefin insulation and sheathing materials, featuring a compact structure, small outer diameter, light weight, high temperature resistance, and radiation resistance. It is the first in China to conduct calculations, analysis, and tests on the conversion relationship between β-rays and γ-rays, solving key technical difficulties in the development process. According to the safety requirements of third-generation nuclear power, it is the first to determine the severe environmental qualification conditions for use inside the "Hualong One" containment.
In 2016, AnCable signed supply contracts with the "Hualong One" demonstration project at the Fuqing Nuclear Power Plant and the Karachi K project in Pakistan. Notably, the Karachi Nuclear Power Plant Units 2 and 3 represent China's first overseas order for its independently developed third-generation nuclear technology. It is the largest ongoing cooperative project between China and Pakistan and a significant achievement in promoting the "China-Pakistan Economic Corridor" and the "Belt and Road" initiative. It is also a landmark project for China's vigorous promotion of its nuclear power "going global" strategy, carrying unique and profound significance. AnCable's participation in this project further advanced its "going global" strategy for nuclear-grade cable products through a "ride-along" approach.
AnCable has always regarded innovation as its primary driving force, investing substantial R&D funds, continuously attracting scientific and technological talents, leveraging its resource advantages for forward-looking R&D, and owning numerous patents. It has obtained the "Provincial Enterprise Technology Center Certificate" and received science and technology awards at both provincial and municipal levels. Notably, the "Hualong One 1E-grade cable for severe environments" won awards from the China Nuclear Energy Industry Association and the Anhui Provincial Science and Technology Award. Recently, AnCable was successfully recognized and included in the list of the second batch of specialized, refined, unique, and innovative "Little Giant" enterprises announced by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, highlighting its core supplier status in the nuclear power market.
In addition to cables for "Hualong One," AnCable has also developed cables for floating offshore nuclear power plants and traveling wave reactors for fourth-generation nuclear technology, establishing an increasingly comprehensive R&D reserve system and striving to build a leading brand in nuclear-grade cables.
"Hualong One" is one of the most accepted third-generation nuclear reactor models in the current global nuclear market. It represents a significant milestone in China's nuclear power innovation and development and is the flagship brand for China's nuclear power going global. In the future, AnCable will continue to uphold the development philosophy of "pursuing excellence," deepen its expertise in the nuclear power field, and rely on advanced R&D and manufacturing capabilities to become a leading service provider in nuclear power cables. While advancing toward the grand vision of becoming a "global leader in nuclear and special cables," AnCable will also contribute to China's nuclear power reaching the world.
