China's nuclear power endeavors are about to enter a new era. 

Decades of science and technology investment have created exciting new possibilities that experts say will make China a world leader in another category.

The Hualong One, also known as HPR1000, is a Chinese pressurized water nuclear reactor design. It was developed by China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) and the China National Nuclear Cooperation. CGN officials say the HPR1000 is the result of China's independent and integrated innovation.

"The reform and opening-up vigorously promoted scientific and technological innovation, which we've acted on. Investment in scientific and technological innovation was not profitable 40 years ago. However, we insisted on such investment for decades. In recent years, the achievements finally began to emerge. HPR1000 is one of the examples," said Huang Xiaofei, the spokesperson of China General Nuclear Power Group.

Huang said China already has 40 nuclear power units and 16 more are under construction, adding though many more are needed.

"Presently, nuclear power accounts for less than 4 percent of China's total power generation. If we want to achieve the 2030 environmental protection goal and achieve peak carbon emission reduction in the future, nuclear power still has a lot of room for development. According to our calculations, China may build nearly 100 nuclear power units in the future."

China is expected to triple its nuclear power capacity to reach 120-150 GW in total by 2030 as part of Beijing's push to boost clean energy consumption.

The industry has already committed itself to use advanced, safer and larger third-generation reactors, including Westinghouse's AP1000 and Areva's (ARVCF.PK) EPR, as well as home-grown Hualong One.

The official, in November, announced to end import tax exemption for advanced second-generation nuclear reactors from January 1, 2019, an attempt to support domestic suppliers and promote technological development.