China's Linglong One Set to Become World's First Commercial Onshore SMR in 2026
China's Linglong One (ACP100) small modular reactor completed cold functional testing in October 2025 and targets commercial operation in H1 2026—positioning it as the world's first land-based commercial SMR, years ahead of Western alternatives.
TL;DR
China National Nuclear Corporation's 125 MWe Linglong One at the Changjiang site in Hainan province completed cold testing and advances toward hot trials and fuel loading. The reactor, first to pass IAEA safety review in 2016, generates enough electricity for 526,000 households while reducing CO2 emissions by 880,000 tons annually. With 29 reactors under construction (nearly half the global total), China leads the SMR market that Western projects—including NuScale, BWRX-300, and Rolls-Royce SMR—will not enter commercially until 2029 or later. The Linglong One achievement reinforces China's estimated 10-15 year lead in fourth-generation nuclear deployment.
Construction Timeline and Current Status
Construction of the Linglong One demonstration reactor began July 13, 2021 at the Changjiang Nuclear Power Plant in Hainan province, with a planned 58-month construction period [1].
Key Milestones
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| July 2021 | First concrete poured |
| December 2022 | Equipment installation commenced |
| March 2023 | Main internal reactor structure completed |
| August 2023 | Core module installed |
| February 2024 | Outer containment dome hoisted into place |
| October 16, 2025 | Cold functional tests completed |
| H1 2026 | Commercial operation targeted |
The cold functional tests validated the reactor's primary circuit integrity under simulated operating pressures without nuclear fuel [2]. CNNC stated the test completion "paves the way for the hot trials and reactor loading" [3].
Technical Specifications
The ACP100 (Linglong One) represents a third-generation small pressurized water reactor developed by CNNC with fully independent intellectual property rights [4].
Core Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Electrical Output | 125 MWe |
| Thermal Output | 385 MWt |
| Fuel Assemblies | 57 |
| Annual Generation | 1 billion kWh |
| Households Served | 526,000 (~1 million people) |
| CO2 Reduction | 880,000 tons/year |
| Design Life | 60 years |
Integrated Design
The most prominent features include integrated design, modular construction, and high inherent and passive safety characteristics [5]. The core module integrates the reactor pressure vessel, evaporator, and main pumps, eliminating the need for main coolant pipelines [6].
The design derived from the larger ACP1000 PWR, completed preliminary design in 2014 after development began in 2010 [7].
Safety Features and IAEA Certification
In 2016, Linglong One became the first SMR globally to pass a safety review by the International Atomic Energy Agency—a critical milestone validating its design against international standards [8].
Passive Safety Systems
| Safety Feature | Function |
|---|---|
| Passive Cooling | Core heat dissipates through gravity and natural circulation |
| No External Power | Can shut down safely without human action or power supply |
| Underground Installation | Design supports below-grade deployment |
| Extreme Conditions | Handles earthquakes, typhoons, and flooding |
The IAEA stated the reactor design "could deal with extreme environmental conditions and multiple failures" [9]. The integrated design eliminates large-break loss-of-coolant accidents by removing primary coolant loops outside the pressure vessel [10].
A key distinction: Linglong One's design requires no off-site emergency plan, enabling flexible deployment near cities or industrial plants [11].
Multipurpose Applications
Unlike traditional large-scale nuclear plants, Linglong One targets distributed energy applications [12]:
| Application | Use Case |
|---|---|
| Electricity Generation | Grid supply or isolated networks |
| Urban Heating | District heating systems |
| Urban Cooling | Absorption cooling systems |
| Industrial Steam | Process heat for manufacturing |
| Seawater Desalination | Fresh water production |
CNNC envisions Linglong One serving as self-contained energy sources for parks, islands, mining areas, and high-energy-consuming enterprises [13]. China plans to deploy SMRs predominantly to meet power demand in regions with weaker grids [14].
Comparison to Western SMR Projects
China's Linglong One enters commercial operation years ahead of Western alternatives:
| SMR Project | Developer | Capacity | Expected Commercial Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linglong One (ACP100) | CNNC (China) | 125 MWe | H1 2026 | Cold testing complete |
| BWRX-300 | GE Vernova Hitachi | 300 MWe | 2029 | Construction license granted (Canada) |
| NuScale VOYGR | NuScale Power | 77 MWe/module | 2030+ | Deployment program announced |
| Rolls-Royce SMR | Rolls-Royce | 470 MWe | Early 2030s | UK regulatory review |
Analysts assess China likely stands 10-15 years ahead of the United States in its ability to deploy fourth-generation nuclear reactors at scale [15].
Western Progress
Ontario Power Generation received a construction license from Canada's nuclear regulator in April 2025 for the first BWRX-300 at its Darlington site, targeting 2029 in-service date [16]. The BWRX-300 claims capital cost reductions of up to 60% per megawatt compared to traditional reactors through streamlined design and reduced material use [17].
NuScale revealed a partnership with ENTRA1 Energy and TVA for a 6-gigawatt SMR deployment program in September 2025, though commercial timelines extend into the 2030s [18].
China's Broader Nuclear Expansion
Linglong One represents one component of China's aggressive nuclear deployment strategy.
Current Fleet Status
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Reactors Under Construction | 29 |
| Share of Global Construction | ~50% |
| Current Installed Capacity | 62.2 GW |
| Nuclear Share of Electricity | 2.1% (2026) |
| Annual Generation | 450.85 TWh (second globally) |
2026 Commissioning Targets
Beyond Linglong One, China expects multiple reactor commissioning events [19]:
| Project | Type | Expected Date |
|---|---|---|
| Tianwan-7 | VVER-1200 | 2026-2027 |
| Tianwan-8 | VVER-1200 | 2026-2027 |
| Xudabao units | VVER-1200 | 2026-2028 |
BloombergNEF expects approximately 15 reactors to come online globally in 2026, adding close to 12 GW of new capacity—with China contributing significantly to that total [20].
Long-term Goals
China General Nuclear Power Group has articulated 200 GW capacity by 2035, produced by 150 additional reactors [21]. China is forecast to become the world's largest nuclear power market by 2030, overtaking both the United States and France [22].
Export Market Positioning
CNNC positions Linglong One technology for global export, particularly through Belt and Road partnerships [23].
Export Strategy
| Target Region | Status |
|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | CNNC regional office in Riyadh; bid submitted 30% below competitors |
| Pakistan | Seven nuclear power units already exported |
| Southeast Asia | MOUs with Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia |
Chinese officials set a goal of selling 30 overseas nuclear reactors to Belt and Road partners by 2030, with potential earnings of 1 trillion yuan ($145.5 billion) [24].
Competitive Advantages
China offers export financing packages unconstrained by OECD guidelines on minimum interest rates and loan repayment terms—enabling more attractive terms than Western competitors [25]. However, countries purchasing Chinese reactors create decades-long dependence for maintenance and fuel, giving suppliers lasting leverage [26].
Implications for Data Center Power
The Linglong One's characteristics align with data center power requirements:
Relevant Features
| Characteristic | Data Center Relevance |
|---|---|
| 125 MWe Capacity | Matches typical hyperscale data center demand |
| Flexible Siting | No off-site emergency plan requirement |
| 60-Year Design Life | Exceeds typical data center building lifespan |
| Baseload Operation | Consistent power unlike variable renewables |
| Cooling Capability | District cooling potential for reject heat utilization |
China's demonstration that SMRs can achieve commercial operation provides a reference case for hyperscalers evaluating nuclear power sources. Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Meta have all announced nuclear power agreements, though primarily with Western developers whose projects face longer timelines [27].
Environmental Impact
Each Linglong One unit provides quantified emissions reductions [28]:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual CO2 Reduction | 880,000 tons |
| Equivalent Tree Planting | 7.5 million trees |
| Fossil Fuel Displacement | Continuous baseload |
| Land Use | Compact integrated design |
The reactor represents China's contribution to dual carbon goals—peak carbon emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060 [29].
Conclusion
China's Linglong One reaching commercial operation in H1 2026 marks a milestone in SMR development that Western projects will not match for three or more years. The reactor validates that land-based commercial SMRs can progress from construction start to operation within the planned 58-month timeline—a reference point for global SMR deployment projections.
With 29 reactors under construction and aggressive export positioning, China establishes itself as the dominant force in nuclear expansion. For data center operators evaluating power sources, Linglong One demonstrates SMR viability at the 125 MWe scale that matches hyperscale facility requirements.
The question shifts from whether SMRs work to whether Western alternatives can close the development gap before China captures export markets where decades-long maintenance relationships determine geopolitical influence.
Citations
[1] World Nuclear News. "CNNC launches demonstration SMR project." July 2021. https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/CNNC-launches-demonstration-SMR-project
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[23] Nuclear Business Platform. "China's Nuclear Power Program: A Blueprint for Global Competitiveness." 2025. https://www.nuclearbusiness-platform.com/media/insights/chinas-nuclear-power-program-a-blueprint-for-global-competitiveness
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