First Hualong One at Zhangzhou No. 1 Mega-Nuclear Plant Powers Up in China. China National Nuclear Corp. (CNNC), on Nov. 28, successfully connected Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant No. 1, a 1.1-GW Hualong One unit, to the national grid. The unit is one of six Hualong One reactors set to be installed at the 7-GW site, making the Fujian Province plant the largest Hualong One base in the world. The Chinese government issued an operation license for Zhangzhou No. 1 in October 2024, and full commissioning of the unit is expected at the end of 2024. According to the CNNC, Zhangzhou No. 1’s grid connection marks “major progress in the mass production of Hualong One,” China’s domestically developed third-generation pressurized water reactor. So far, 33 units are in operation or under construction in China and abroad. That makes it “the third-generation nuclear power technology with the largest number of units in operation and under construction in the world, marking that China’s nuclear power technology and comprehensive competitiveness have entered the world’s first echelon,” CNNC said. China is targeting the construction of 200 GW of nuclear capacity by 2035. As of December 2024, the country had put online 57 reactors, a combined 56 GW. An estimated 30 others (32 GW) are under construction. Partnership Formed to Advance Offshore Wind in the Caspian Sea. United Arab Emirates–based Masdar; SOCAR Green, a subsidiary of Azerbaijan’s state oil company SOCAR; and Saudi Arabia-based ACWA Power signed a memorandum of understanding at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November to explore the development of 3.5 GW of offshore wind projects in the Caspian Sea, marking Azerbaijan’s first offshore wind farms. The projects aim to support Azerbaijan’s renewable energy goals, including achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 while advancing green hydrogen and water desalination. Masdar, a global renewable energy leader since 2006, has developed major solar projects in Azerbaijan, including the 230-MW Garadagh, 315-MW Neftchala, and 445-MW Bilasuvar plants, the latter in partnership with SOCAR Green. SOCAR Green, established in 2024, focuses on solar, wind, and green hydrogen to advance Azerbaijan’s climate goals. ACWA Power, active in Azerbaijan since 2019, is building the 240-MW Khizi-Absheron wind farm and supporting the country’s renewable energy goals. Brazil Extends Angra 1 Nuclear Plant’s Operations to 2044. Brazil’s Eletronuclear has secured approval from the National Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN) to extend the operational life of its Angra 1 nuclear power plant by 20 years, enabling the reactor to run until 2044. The decision on Nov. 22, 2024, follows a five-year evaluation process, including safety reviews and missions by the International Atomic Energy Agency. The 640-MWe Westinghouse reactor, which began commercial operations in 1985, is receiving BRL 3.2 billion ($550 million) in modernization investments through 2027. Upgrades are already underway. Enhancements include control system upgrades, stronger physical protection, and improved radioactive waste protocols. Angra 1’s extension will support Brazil’s push for energy security, given that the plant generates 4.78 million MWh annually. Eletronuclear continues implementing emergency response measures, aligning with international safety standards, and preparing for a major safety reassessment in 2033 to ensure long-term reliability and clean energy production. Doosan Enerbility Marks Foray into South Korea’s Pumped-Hydro Storage Market. South Korean technology giant Doosan Enerbility on Dec. 3, 2024, announced its entry into South Korea’s pumped-hydro storage market, seeking to capitalize on an estimated 5.7 GW of new orders anticipated under the government’s 11th Basic Plan for Long-Term Electricity Supply and Demand. The first project, led by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), will involve building a 500-MW pumped storage plant in Yeongdong, Chungbuk Province, marking KHNP’s return to the technology after 13 years. Doosan plans to provide components for this and future projects in regions like Hongcheon, Pocheon, and Hapcheon, where demand for energy storage systems is forecasted to grow. South Korea’s draft 11th Basic Plan suggests the country will need 21.5 GW of long-duration energy storage systems by 2038, Doosan said. Pumped-hydro storage, a mature technology, is already proving critical for stabilizing grids as the world expands its renewable energy, and it offers long lifespans and low operational risks. Doosan said its collaboration with Austria’s Andritz since 2019 has positioned the company to develop hydropower components independently. 25 Countries and EU Unite to End New Coal at COP29. Twenty-five countries and the European Union (EU) launched a Call to Action for No New Coal on Nov. 20 at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The call reflects an intention to put forward national climate plans “that reflect no new unabated coal in their energy systems and call on others to do the same.” Initial signatories include Angola, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Italy, Malta, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Uganda, UK, Uruguay, Vanuatu, and the EU. The Call to Action has been developed in collaboration with the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA), which seeks the rapid phase-out of unabated coal power. Twenty-four of the endorsing countries are members of the PPCA. Two Geothermal Plants Begin Producing Power in Türkiye. Open Mountain Türkiye Geothermal Energy Production Co. Ltd. (OME Turkey), a subsidiary of Kaishan Group, in November started electricity production at its 11-MW OME T-01 Geothermal Power Plant in the Alasehir district of Manisa, Türkiye. The milestone comes a week after Greeneco Energy reported first power from its 49-MW GPP-7 plant operating in Sarayköy district of Denizli. OME Turkey’s project notably garnered a license issued by the Turkish Energy Market Authority in January 2024, marking a condensed development timeframe. According to Kaishan, the project benefits from Türkiye’s government-backed fixed electricity price subsidy, ranging from 9.45 to 11.55 cents per kilowatt hour for 15 years for geothermal projects commissioned before 2030. Additionally, grid companies are mandated to prioritize purchasing electricity from licensed geothermal plants under Türkiye’s green energy policies, it said. Türkiye’s geothermal sector, bolstered by its location on the Alpine-Himalaya belt and abundant geothermal resources, is a cornerstone of its renewable energy strategy. As the fourth-largest geothermal power producer globally, Türkiye aims to increase its installed geothermal capacity from 1.69 GW to 4 GW by 2030. So far, the country currently has 67 licensed geothermal energy projects. —Sonal Patel is a POWER senior editor.
