China Expands Nuclear Technology Applications as Economic Value Forecasts Hit 400 Billion Yuan

China is shifting its nuclear energy strategy beyond basic power generation by implementing diverse applications such as industrial steam production, residential heating, and medical isotope manufacturing. This strategic pivot aims to increase the efficiency of existing and developing nuclear infrastructure.

The Xuwei nuclear energy project in Lianyungang, Jiangsu, serves as a primary example of this shift. As the first facility to combine third- and fourth-generation nuclear technologies, it includes the 'Chilong No. 1' high-temperature gas-cooled reactor. The facility is designed to supply industrial steam directly to the Lianyungang petrochemical base, marking a transition toward the large-scale commercialization of domestic fourth-generation reactor technology.

Beyond industrial steam, nuclear utilities are diversifying their output. The Hongyanhe Nuclear Power Plant has begun providing residential heating for local populations, while the Qinshan Nuclear Base has initiated the large-scale production of medical isotopes like Lutetium-177 and Yttrium-90. These materials are essential for producing targeted oncology drugs, addressing a domestic supply gap for advanced radiopharmaceuticals.

Industry analysts and official reports estimate that these applications will contribute 400 billion yuan in direct annual economic value. Projections suggest that continued expansion into industrial and medical sectors could eventually elevate the total market scale to the trillion-yuan level.