China’s Xinghuo: The World’s First Fusion-Fission Power Plant Set to Revolutionize Energy by 2030

China is embarking on a groundbreaking journey to develop the world’s first fusion-fission hybrid power plant, marking a major milestone in the quest for clean, sustainable energy. Named Xinghuo, meaning “spark” in Chinese, this ambitious project aims to generate 100 megawatts of continuous electricity and integrate it into the national grid by the end of the decade. If successful, it would place China at the forefront of next-generation nuclear energy, far ahead of global competitors.

With an estimated cost of 20 billion yuan (US$2.76 billion), the high-temperature superconducting reactor is set to be built on Yaohu Science Island in Nanchang, Jiangxi province. The project is already moving forward, as authorities have initiated an environmental impact assessment, which will evaluate potential risks, pollution control measures, and ecological impact.

Why is Xinghuo Different?

Unlike conventional nuclear power plants that rely solely on fission, Xinghuo will employ a fusion-fission hybrid approach. This means it will use high-energy neutrons generated from fusion reactions to trigger fission in surrounding materials, leading to greater energy output while reducing nuclear waste.

Fusion is the same process that powers the sun, involving the fusion of light atomic nuclei such as hydrogen to release vast amounts of energy. In contrast, traditional nuclear power plants use fission, which involves splitting heavy atomic nuclei like uranium to generate power. The hybrid model combines the strengths of both, offering a more efficient and potentially safer alternative.

For context, while international fusion projects like ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) in France are targeting a Q value (energy gain factor) above 10, Xinghuo aims for an unprecedented Q value of 30—meaning it could produce 30 times more energy than the power used to sustain its reaction. To put this into perspective, the US National Ignition Facility achieved a Q value of just 1.5 in 2022. If Xinghuo reaches its target, it would mark a quantum leap in nuclear energy technology.

Strategic Implications and China’s Energy Future

China’s nuclear ambitions are not just about energy—they carry significant geopolitical and economic weight. The successful deployment of a fusion-fission hybrid reactor would:

• Reduce dependence on fossil fuels, helping China meet its carbon neutrality goals.
• Strengthen China’s position as a leader in nuclear technology, potentially outpacing the US, Europe, and Japan in the race for clean energy.
• Pave the way for the China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor (CFETR), a large-scale fusion-only project planned for Hefei, Anhui province in the mid-2030s, seen as China’s answer to ITER.

The environmental assessment for Xinghuo is expected to conclude by the end of this year, with full-scale construction likely to follow shortly after. If the project succeeds within its planned timeline, it would mean China achieves commercial hybrid fusion power before the rest of the world even reaches basic experimental milestones.

As nations push toward cleaner energy solutions, Xinghuo could be the defining breakthrough that brings fusion technology out of the lab and into real-world applications—turning the dream of limitless clean energy into reality.