Unit 5 of Fuqing nuclear power plant enters commercial operation

• 3 years ago (2021-02-02)
• David Flin

Asia 859 Nuclear 643

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China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) has announced that Unit 5 of the Fuqing nuclear power plant in China’s Fujian province entered commercial operation of January 30, following a demonstration run of 168 hours. Unit 6 is scheduled to start commercial operation by the end of 2021. The unit is the first of two demonstration Hualong One (HPR1000) reactors at the site and the first HPR1000 reactor to be commissioned in the world.

CNNC said: “The success marks a milestone for the development of China’s nuclear power, making China the fourth country to master its indigenous Generation III nuclear power technology, following USA, France, and Russia.”

Yu Jianfeng, Chairman of CNNC, said that it will accelerate mass construction of HPR1000 reactors and develop new series technologies in a bid to promote it in export markets.

Construction of two demonstration HPR1000 units is also ongoing at China General Nuclear ’s Fangchenggang nuclear power plant in the Guangxi Autonomous Region, due to start operation in 2022. CNNC has also started construction of two HPR1000 units at the Zhangzhou plant in Fujian province, and the first two units at Taipaingling in Guangdong. Two HPR1000 units are also under construction at Pakistan’s Karachi nuclear power plant, scheduled to enter operation in 2021 and 2022.