Shandong introduces Nuclear-Powered heating for sustainability as the provinces continues to drive green transformation.
Residents of a community in Weihai, Shandong province, are enjoying a warmer and more comfortable winter this year due to the introduction of nuclear-powered heating, marking a key milestone in the province’s green energy transformation efforts.
This marks the first time the system has provided consistent and reliable heat.
“The heating is working smoothly, making the environment cozy for us,” said Yu Haiyan, a resident of the Ruichikangcheng community in Rushan, a county-level city in Weihai. She mentioned that the indoor temperature remains comfortably steady at 23°C.
The new system replaces traditional coal-based heating with energy sourced exclusively from the Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant, which is more than 35 kilometers away in Haiyang, a county-level city of Yantai.
By utilizing steam from the plant’s nuclear reactors post-power generation and using advanced heat exchange technology, the heat is delivered to Rushan via China’s longest and most advanced nuclear heating pipeline.
The transition to nuclear-powered heating has brought consistent temperatures and considerable environmental benefits. According to Rushan county authorities, this initiative saves 110,000 metric tons of coal annually, while cutting sulfur dioxide emissions by 465 tons and nitrogen oxide emissions by 130 tons.
The nuclear heating project has been recognized as part of China’s first group of green and low-carbon demonstration projects, highlighting its potential as a sustainable energy solution.
“2024 was a crucial year for Shandong’s green transformation,” said Zhou Naixiang, the province’s governor, during the opening of the 14th Shandong Provincial People’s Congress session on Monday.
Shandong has made significant progress in renewable energy, with a total installed capacity of new and renewable energy reaching 115 million kilowatts. Last year, renewable energy’s installed capacity surpassed that of coal-fired power for the first time, making it the province’s main electricity source, according to the Shandong energy administration.
Shandong ranks second in China for nuclear power development, with 10.03 million kilowatts of approved and under-construction nuclear power units. The province also leads in photovoltaic capacity.
In Heze, a city in Shandong, the local government invested 30.61 billion yuan ($4.18 billion) in 91 key green and low-carbon projects last year, according to municipal statistics.
“The new energy industry’s competitive advantages in Heze are continuing to grow,” said Mayor Li Chunying.
With a strategic goal to add 20 million kilowatts of new renewable energy capacity this year, Shandong is set to further its sustainability efforts, Zhou said.
Along with meeting mandatory targets for energy conservation, emissions reduction, and environmental quality improvement, Shandong plans to achieve GDP growth of more than 5 percent this year.
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