Energy Insider: China Achieves Breakthrough With Thorium Molten Salt Reactor
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China makes breakthrough with thorium molten salt reactor
China has made a breakthrough in thorium-based molten salt reactors, a fourth-generation nuclear technology. On Nov. 2, the Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics announced the completion of a 2-megawatt experimental liquid-fuel thorium molten salt reactor, calling it the world’s only operating reactor of its kind to have successfully introduced thorium fuel. The institute aims to build and connect a 100-megawatt demonstration reactor to the grid around 2035.
China-ASEAN power exchange exceeds 75 billion kWh
Cross-border electricity exchange between China and ASEAN has surpassed 75 billion kWh, with green power making up over 90% of the total, Xinhua reported Nov. 4. By the end of 2024, the installed capacity of cooperative hydropower, wind and solar projects was 15 times larger than in 2014. Additionally, 16 interconnected power transmission lines of 110 kV or higher have been established between China and ASEAN.
PetroChina-led project in Iraq boosts oil processing capacity
A new crude oil processing facility at the West Qurna 1 oil field in Iraq, where PetroChina Co. Ltd. is the lead operator, began operations Nov. 2. The facility will increase the field’s daily crude processing capacity from 600,000 barrels to over 800,000 barrels.
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- China completed the world’s only operating thorium molten salt reactor and targets a 100MW demo reactor by 2035.
- China-ASEAN power exchange exceeded 75 billion kWh, with green power over 90%; 16 power lines connect both regions.
- Geely will acquire 26.4% of Renault’s Brazil unit; Volkswagen and XPeng will co-develop EVs using XPeng’s tech for launch in 2026.
- PetroChina Co. Ltd.
- PetroChina Co. Ltd. is the lead operator of the West Qurna 1 oil field in Iraq. A new crude oil processing facility at this field began operations on November 2, increasing its daily processing capacity from 600,000 to over 800,000 barrels.
- China Energy Investment Corp. Ltd.
- China Energy Investment Corp. Ltd.'s local branch in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, announced on November 3 that a new 1,000-megawatt coal-fired unit has begun commercial operations. This addition makes the facility China's largest thermal power plant, capable of generating over 40 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity yearly, thereby strengthening the power supply in the Yangtze River Delta region.
- Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd.
- Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd., a Hong Kong-listed Chinese automaker, along with its parent company, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. Ltd., will acquire a combined 26.4% stake in Renault Group's Brazilian subsidiary. This "asset-light" move aims to produce and sell new-energy vehicles in Brazil.
- Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. Ltd.
- Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. Ltd. (Geely) is a Chinese automaker. The company and its Hong Kong-listed subsidiary, Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd., will acquire a combined 26.4% stake in Renault Group's Brazilian subsidiary. This move aims to produce and sell new-energy vehicles in Latin America's largest auto market.
- Renault Group
- Renault Group is a French automaker whose Brazilian subsidiary will have a 26.4% stake acquired by Chinese automaker Geely. This "asset-light" move aims to produce and sell new-energy vehicles in Latin America's largest auto market.
- XPeng Inc.
- XPeng Inc. (小鹏汽车) will supply its "Turing" chips and advanced driver-assistance system for new Volkswagen models, as announced on November 5. This collaboration, initiated in July 2023, involves developing two electric models based on an XPeng platform for a 2026 launch and expanding to include joint development of an electrical and electronic architecture for Volkswagen's EV platform in China since April 2024.
- Volkswagen
- Volkswagen will incorporate Xpeng's "Turing" chips and its latest advanced driver-assistance system into some new Volkswagen-branded models. This collaboration also involves the joint development of two electric vehicles based on an Xpeng platform, expected to launch in early 2026, and an electrical and electronic architecture for Volkswagen's EV platform in China.
- April 2024：
- Volkswagen and XPeng expanded their collaboration to include joint development of an electrical and electronic architecture for Volkswagen’s EV platform in China.
- By the end of 2024：
- The installed capacity of cooperative hydropower, wind and solar projects between China and ASEAN was 15 times larger than in 2014.
- Nov. 2, 2025：
- The Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics announced the completion of a 2-megawatt experimental liquid-fuel thorium molten salt reactor, claimed to be the world’s only operating reactor of its kind to have successfully introduced thorium fuel.
- Nov. 2, 2025：
- A new crude oil processing facility at West Qurna 1 oil field, led by PetroChina, began operations, increasing daily crude processing capacity from 600,000 to over 800,000 barrels.
- Nov. 3, 2025：
- A new 1,000-megawatt coal-fired unit at a Ningbo power plant began commercial operations, making it China’s largest thermal power plant.
- Nov. 3, 2025：
- Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd. and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. Ltd. signed a final agreement to acquire a 26.4% stake in Renault Group’s Brazilian subsidiary.
- Nov. 4, 2025：
- Xinhua reported that cross-border electricity exchange between China and ASEAN surpassed 75 billion kWh, with over 90% being green power.
- Nov. 5, 2025：
- XPeng announced that some new Volkswagen-branded models will use XPeng’s ‘Turing’ chips and advanced driver-assistance system. The partnership began in July 2023 and includes two electric models set to launch in early 2026.
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