The world’s first high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTRG) demonstration power plant is currently under construction in Shidao Bay, Shandong province, and is expected to be operating by the end of 2017.

The demonstration power plant, which is an updated version of the country’s 10 MW HTRG Test Module designed by Tsinghua University, kicked off its construction work in 2012. According to statistics from the test module in 2004, the reactors can keep safe from any major accident without any human or machine interference, as well as releasing extra thermal power.

According to Economic Information Daily, two reactor pressure vessels have been installed at the HTR unit in 2016, while a 200,000 kW HTR nuclear power unit is expected to be built soon.

The demonstration project’s pressure vessels, primary helium circulators, and evaporators are all designed and produced by Chinese companies, which makes the new nuclear technology a name card of China, Mao Wei, chief manager of Huaneng Shandong Shidao Bay Nuclear Power Co., Ltd., told the Economic Information Daily.

“The HTRG project features the security of fourth-generation nuclear technology, helping China to become a vital player in the world’s nuclear energy competition,” said Mao.