CFR-600

China Fast Reactor 600 (CFR-600)
China Fast Reactor 600 (CFR-600)
Generation	Generation IV
Reactor concept	Fast breeder reactor
Status	Under construction
Location	Xiapu County, Fujian province, China
Coordinates	26°48′13″N 120°09′18″E / 26.80361°N 120.15500°ECoordinates: 26°48′13″N 120°09′18″E / 26.80361°N 120.15500°E
Main parameters of the reactor core
Fuel (fissile material)	UO2 (initial stage); MOX (later stage)
Neutron energy spectrum	Fast
Primary coolant	Liquid sodium
Reactor usage
Power (thermal)	1500 MWth
Power (electric)	600 MWe gross

The CFR-600 is a sodium-cooled pool-type fast-neutron nuclear reactor under construction in Xiapu County, Fujian province, China, on Changbiao Island.^[1]^[2] It is a generation IV demonstration project by the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). The project is also known as Xiapu fast reactor pilot project.^[2] Construction of the reactor started in late 2017. The reactor will have an output of 1500 MWth thermal power and 600 MW electric power.^[1]^[2] The fuel will be supplied by TVEL, subsidiary of Rosatom, according to the agreement signed in 2019.

The CFR-600 is part of the Chinese plan to reach a closed nuclear fuel cycle. Fast neutron reactors are considered the main technology in the future for nuclear power in China.

A larger commercial-scale reactor, the CFR-1000, is also planned.^[2]

On the same site, the building of a second 600 MW fast reactor CFR-600 was started in December 2020^[3] and four 1000 MW CAP1000 are proposed.^[4]

Controversy[]

AlJazeera reported in 2021 that the reactors are controversial because they will produce weapons-grade plutonium, so likely have a dual military and civilian use, and China has stopped annual voluntary declarations to the International Atomic Energy Agency [IAEA] on its stocks of plutonium.^[5]