CFR-1000: China unveils gigawatt-level fast neutron reactor design

China’s National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) has unveiled the design of the CFR-1000, a fourth-generation, gigawatt-level fast neutron reactor capable of producing up to 1.2 gigawatts of power—enough to supply around a million homes. Unlike conventional thermal reactors that use slow neutrons moderated by materials like water, the CFR-1000 employs fast neutrons without moderators, enhancing fuel efficiency and enabling the breeding of new fuel such as plutonium-239 from non-fissile materials. This technology supports closed-loop fuel cycles, potentially reducing nuclear waste and dependence on mined uranium. The reactor uses liquid sodium as a coolant, which allows higher operating temperatures and improved heat transfer, further boosting efficiency. The CFR-1000 is a commercial-scale unit expected to be operational after 2030, possibly by 2034, marking a significant milestone in China’s “three-step” nuclear strategy that progresses from thermal reactors to fast reactors and ultimately fusion reactors. China claims to