China has brought a second “Hualong One” nuclear reactor online,marking a significant step in the country’s ambitious expansion of domestically-developed nuclear power technology. The Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant’s Unit 2 began commercial operation January 1st, completing the first phase of the project and adding to the growing number of Generation III reactors in operation worldwide [[1]]. The facility,located in Fujian province,is poised to become the largest of its kind globally,potentially reshaping China’s energy mix and contributing to its climate goals [[2]], [[3]].
The second unit of the Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant in Fujian Province, China, began commercial operation on January 1, following a 168-hour full-power continuous operation assessment. This milestone marks the complete construction and commissioning of the first phase of the Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant, utilizing the “Hualong One” technology.
Developed by China Nuclear Power Investment Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), the Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Project represents the starting point for the large-scale construction of “Hualong One” reactors and is currently the largest “Hualong One” nuclear power base globally. The project is planned to eventually house six “Hualong One” nuclear power units. Units 1 and 2 are now commercially operational, with Unit 1 having already generated 10.2 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. Units 3 and 4 are currently undergoing civil construction and installation, while preparatory work for Units 5 and 6 is well underway. Once fully operational, the base is expected to provide approximately 60 billion kilowatt-hours of clean energy annually, significantly optimizing the power distribution network in Fujian Province, particularly the “North-to-South” power transmission strategy.
“Hualong One” is a third-generation pressurized water reactor nuclear power technology independently developed and designed in China, possessing complete independent intellectual property rights. The technology is considered crucial for China’s transition from a nuclear power country to a nuclear power powerhouse. Each “Hualong One” unit can generate up to 10 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 8.16 million tons – equivalent to a reduction of over 3 million tons of standard coal consumption. Currently, “Hualong One” boasts the largest number of in-operation and approved units among third-generation nuclear power technologies worldwide.
Throughout the process of mass-constructing “Hualong One” reactors, a substantial amount of experience in construction and operation has been accumulated. By fully leveraging feedback and continuously optimizing and upgrading designs, the Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Project’s second phase is steadily progressing towards the goal of building “better units with each iteration.”
