China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN) recently showcased its innovative approach at the third United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France. At the thematic forum “Advancing the Blue Economy and Sustainable Ocean Development through Marine Spatial Planning”, CGN shared its success in integrating clean ocean energy development with marine ecological protection, as part of its effort to build a diversified and sustainable development model.
Exploring integrated development for human-ocean harmony
CGN has actively expanded its offshore clean energy portfolio, with a focus on offshore wind power, solar photovoltaic (PV) power, and hydrogen production. With continued investment in industrial deployment and technological innovation, the company has developed nearly 20 offshore wind and PV projects with a combined installed capacity of 4.74 gigawatts. These projects are expected to generate 14.8 billion kilowatt-hours annually — enough to power more than 8 million households.
One notable achievement is the innovative integration of offshore wind power with marine aquaculture. In Shandong Province, CGN built China’s first demonstration project of its kind — the 304 MW Laizhou Offshore Wind Project — pioneering a “blue ocean + ocean granary” model that enables the dual benefits of efficient wind energy utilization and sustainable fishery development.
CGN White Paper on the Protection of Marine Biodiversity released
During the event, France’s Green Ocean Institute officially released CGN White Paper on the Protection of Marine Biodiversity, showcasing the company’s innovative practices in aligning offshore clean energy development with marine ecological conservation.
The report aims to offer actionable insights for the global protection of marine biodiversity in tandem with clean energy advancement.
The white paper highlights CGN’s strategic adoption of a “nature-positive” approach, advocating proactive restoration rather than passive damage mitigation. It also recognizes CGN’s use of nature-based solutions across various projects.
Since its first nuclear project — the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant — CGN has developed a marine conservation philosophy centered on symbiosis, mutualism, and regeneration. The company has established comprehensive ecological monitoring and assessment systems in surrounding waters of its Daya Bay, Yangjiang, and Hongyanhe bases, forming a long-term mechanism for marine biodiversity protection.
It is reported that over 200 species of flora and fauna are thriving around the Daya Bay nuclear base. A total of 15 species of hard coral, a Class II protected species in China, have been identified. By establishing coral conservation zones, CGN has helped maintain the natural stability of coral reef ecosystems.
Exhibition showcases marine conservation achievements
During the conference, CGN also hosted a parallel exhibition, showcasing its key achievements in marine ecological protection.
The exhibition featured four areas: coral reef restoration, marine species monitoring and restocking, mangrove habitat construction, and wind-power-fishery integration. It demonstrated how a clean energy enterprise can advance ecological and energy development simultaneously through innovative and responsible practices. The exhibition attracted wide interest from marine conservation professionals and local residents in Nice.
(Executive editor: Cui Feng)
