China breaks ground on the world’s first supercritical CO2 and molten salt energy plant

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day, reviewed by our editorial team. Read the full piece on South China Morning Post or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: China has begun construction of what SCMP describes as the world’s first utility-scale project combining supercritical CO₂ power generation with molten-salt energy storage. The Ruitan demonstration project, at China Huaneng’s Bajiao power station in Shandong, is expected to begin operating in 2027.

🔭 The context: During periods of low electricity demand, surplus power from the station’s existing coal units will heat molten salt for storage. When demand rises, the stored heat will drive a supercritical CO₂ system to generate electricity, using CO₂ instead of steam and potentially improving the flexibility and efficiency of the existing power infrastructure.

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The technology could reduce energy losses and improve grid flexibility by storing surplus electricity for later use. However, because the project is integrated with coal-fired generation, its overall climate benefit will depend on how much it improves efficiency and whether similar storage systems can increasingly support low-carbon power.

⏭️ What’s next: Construction is expected to continue through 2027, when the demonstration project is scheduled to enter operation. Its performance will help determine whether the combined technology can be scaled for wider deployment.

💬 One quote: “During hours of peak energy demand, the stored heat will power a supercritical unit that uses carbon dioxide rather than steam to produce electricity.” — SCMP.

📈 One stat: The Ruitan demonstration project is expected to begin operations in 2027

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