The Chinese energy department said that a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor at the Shidao Bay nuclear power plant, also known as Shidaowan, was put into commercial operation after 168 hours of continuous work, Sputnik reports.

"China has reached a world-leading level in the research, development, and application of fourth-generation nuclear energy technologies," the NEA said in a statement.

The Shidaowan nuclear power plant high-temperature gas-cooled reactor project was launched in 2012 with a total investment of 100 billion yuan ($14.1 billion) and a 20-year construction period. The NPP is a joint venture between the China Huaneng Group energy company, China Nuclear Engineering & Construction Group, and Tsinghua University in Beijing.

RHM/PR