The Shidaowan Nuclear Power Plant, located in Rongcheng, Shandong Province, has officially begun commercial operations following     1     successful 168-hour trial, as announced by the National Energy Administration (NEA). This marks a significant milestone as it is the world's first fourth-generation (4G) nuclear power plant, utilizing high-temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactor (HTGR) technology.

The plant, which boasts China's fully independent intellectual property rights, showcases the nation's prowess in 4G nuclear power technology. According to Zhang Zuoyi, the chief designer of the project, the HTGR is designed to be inherently safe, even in the absence of cooling capabilities and without any intervention     2     (measure). This ensures    3     accidents such as reactor core meltdowns or radioactive material releases are prevented.

In comparison to other renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydro, nuclear power stands out for its stability and cost-effectiveness, as       4    (highlight) by Lin Boqiang, the director of the China Center for Energy Economics Research at Xiamen University. This makes it a viable option for China to achieve its carbon emission    5     (reduce) goals.

The construction of the 200,000-kilowatt plant, which     6     (start) in December 2012, was a collaborative effort between China Huaneng Group Co, Tsinghua University, and China National Nuclear Corp. It was first connected to the power grid in December 2021, marking a significant step forward in the development of nuclear power technology.

The success of the plant is attributed to the collaborative efforts of over 500 companies across the industry chain, including design, research and development, construction, component manufacturing, and operations management. With a localization rate of equipment exceeding 90%, this achievement underscores China's commitment to foster innovation and technological advancement.

Based on this project, China Huaneng Group Co and Tsinghua University have jointly developed six core technologies, nurtured a talented team of experts, and formed a reproducible operation mechanism with independent intellectual property rights. This not only demonstrates China's capabilities in nuclear power development but also     7     (pave) the way for future collaboration and innovation in the field.

As China continues its efforts to achieve carbon emission reduction goals, the installed capacity of renewable energy power generation nationwide has reached a new high. By the end of October, it had exceeded 1.4 billion kilowatts,     8     (reach) 1.404 billion kilowatts, representing a year-on-year increase of 20.8%. This significant growth accounts for    9    (approximate) 49.9% of the country's total installed capacity of power generation, further underscoring the importance of renewable energy in China's energy mix.

With the successful commercial operation of the Shidaowan Nuclear Power Plant, China has once again proven     10     (it) leadership in the global energy landscape and its commitment to sustainable development.