Dalian: An 8.8-kilometer main heating pipeline stretches from the Hongyanhe Nuclear Power Station to local residents’ houses in Wafangdian of Dalian, Liaoning province. Northeast China’s first commercial nuclear heating project is under construction and will serve residents during this winter’s heating period. With a planned heating area of 242,400 square meters, it is expected to replace the 12 existing small boilers in Hongyanhe town.
“The project will reduce coal consumption by 12,100 metric tons annually, and cut emissions of carbon dioxide by 14,000 tons, dust by 209 tons, sulfur dioxide by 60 tons and nitrogen oxide by 85 tons,” said Wang Jianguo, an engineer from the nuclear power plant. With a total installed capacity of 6.7 million kilowatts, the Hongyanhe nuclear power plant is the largest operating nuclear power plant in China and the third largest in the world. Local residents have applauded the new project, saying it’s safer, cleaner and more convenient. “In addition to replacing the 12 boilers, it also makes the coal stoves in villagers’ houses useless,” said Li Yong, a villager in Hongyanhe. “This winter, we won’t need to worry about the dust, the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, nor enduring a cold night because most of us are reluctant to get up and add coal to the stove,” he said.
–The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
