China’s Heqi No 1 steam heating system is helping the country reduce coal consumption by 400,000 tons by switching from coal to nuclear power. The system uses nuclear power to turn water into steam and send it via above-ground pipelines to industrial facilities for heating needs. To ensure safety, the project will continuously monitor the radiation level of steam and shut down in case of abnormalities. When operating at full capacity, Heqi No 1 can provide nearly 5 million tons of steam annually, significantly reducing coal consumption and emissions.
China has set a goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2060 and is implementing various solutions to diversify clean energy sources. The country has invested in large solar power plants and continues to build nuclear power plants to meet industrial demand for heat and electricity, replacing coal-fired power. In 2022, China will launch a nuclear power steam supply project costing 108 million USD. The project is named Heqi No 1 and has been completed and is now operational.
Switching from coal to nuclear power is estimated to reduce coal consumption by 400,000 tons, aiding in the reduction of CO2, SO2, and nitrogen oxide emissions. The operation of Heqi No 1 also helps save more than 700,000 tons of emissions in the petrochemical industry, requiring the planting of trees on an area of 2,900 hectares to offset carbon emissions. This move towards cleaner energy sources is helping China reduce its environmental impact while meeting its industrial needs.
