News | Headlines
Huadian pushes offshore limits with Sanshan Island project
Assessment of Holtec SMR reactor completed
Artist’s impression of the Holtec SMR-300 nuclear reactor layout (Credit: ONR).
UK Nuclear power Image credit: China Huaneng Group. China Wind power
China Huadian has begun full scale construction of a 500 MW offshore wind farm on Sanshan Island, south of Hailing Island in Yangjiang, Guangdong Province, after installing the first turbine at what is currently China’s farthest from shore project. The state owned power generator described the project as a milestone in the country’s offshore wind push and the Greater Bay Area’s energy transition. The wind farm covers 54 sq km of sea area, with water depths ranging from 46 to 50 metres. Its centre lies 82 km from the nearest land, with the farthest turbines as much as 89 km away offshore. The project
will deploy 31 turbines, each rated at 16.2 MW, marking China’s first large scale application of this model.
China Huadian said the project will use ‘big data’ and intelligent algorithms to monitor turbine conditions, diagnose faults and optimise operations, targeting a 1-2% increase in output, a 20% reduction in fault rates and 5-10% higher returns. The farm wind is expected to generate about 1.6 billion kWh of electricity annually when fully operational, to cut coal consumption by more than 500 000 tonnes, and CO2 emissions by 1.26 million tonnes each year, according to Li Xiang, project director for the wind farm.
Turboden, Fervo partner on
1.75 GW geothermal rollout USA Geothermal energy Turboden America LLC, a subsidiary of Italy based Turboden SpA within the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group, has signed a three year framework agreement with Fervo Energy to supply Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) units for up to 35 GeoBlocks. The deal could support as much as 1750 MW of dispatchable power capacity across Fervo’s upcoming geothermal projects. Under the arrangement, Turboden will deliver its proprietary turbine technology to convert geothermal heat into baseload electricity. Both companies say the framework is intended to simplify procurement, tighten delivery schedules and strengthen supply chain resilience as demand for firm, zero carbon power grows. The companies had previously collaborated on Fervo’s Cape Station Devekioment in Utah, where Turboden is supplying three 50 MW ORC
8 | April 2026 |
www.modernpowersystems.com
units. That project, currently in the final commissioning stage and due online later this year, serves as a proving ground for the scalable “GeoBlock” model Fervo plans to deploy at other US sites. The partnership reflects a broader trend in geothermal development: pairing established turbine manufacturers with new generation resource developers to accelerate commercial deployment. “Geothermal can play a stabilizing role in a grid under stress from variable renewables,” said Paolo Bertuzzi, president of Turboden America and CEO of Turboden SpA, in announcing the deal. As data centre operators increasingly seek around the clock, carbon free supply, both companies view the agreement as a platform for rapid growth. For Turboden, it signals a deepening presence in the US market; for Fervo, it strengthens its ability to deliver firm, geothermal power at scale.
The UK’s Office for Nuclear Regulation, the Environment Agency, and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) can confirm that the Holtec SMR-300 nuclear reactor design has successfully completed Step 2 of the Generic Design Assessment (GDA). Step 2 began in August 2024 and involved a comprehensive and rigorous examination of the fundamental adequacy of the reactor design and its safety, security, safeguards and environmental protection documentation.
The assessment has concluded with the issuing of two GDA statements setting out the regulators’ conclusions on the Holtec SMR-300 and its supporting documentation. Regulators have confirmed that their assessments have identified no fundamental safety, security, safeguards or environmental protection shortfalls with the design that would prevent its deployment in Great Britain. Tim Parkes, ONR’s head of the Holtec SMR-300 GDA, said: “Our assessment covered 21 technical topic areas, and we have not identified any fundamental shortfalls”. Saffron Price-Finnerty, the Environment Agency’s New Reactors Programme manager, said: “Based on our assessment across all topic areas, we have found no fundamental environmental protection shortfalls at this stage in the development of the SMR-300, that could prevent the design from being acceptable for future deployment in England or Wales.” In September 2025, Holtec, in partnership with EDF Energy and Tritax, announced plans to construct the SMR-300 at Cottam in Nottinghamshire, UK. At present, Holtec and its partners have not asked the regulators to carry out Step 3 of GDA, but should construction plans progress, the regulators will continue to engage with Holtec and its partners, as they prepare the design, safety, security and safeguards and environment safety case, site licence application, and environmental permit applications. Before the Holtec SMR-300 can be deployed in Great Britain, the regulators will need to undertake a further period of detailed assessment before safety-significant construction can begin and environmental permits can be issued.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45
