China National Nuclear (CNNC) has connected the 1.13GW Unit 1 of the Zhangzhou nuclear power plant in East China’s Fujian Province to the national grid.
Equipped with the Hualong One third-generation reactor, the unit began supplying electricity, advancing the country’s efforts in its green energy transition and nuclear reactor innovation.
The newly connected Unit 1 is one of six planned Hualong One reactors at the Zhangzhou site. It is set to undergo a series of tests to validate its performance before commencing commercial operations.
The Hualong One nuclear power unit is designed to generate over 10 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity every year. This output is sufficient to meet the electricity needs of approximately one million people in moderately developed countries.
Additionally, it will reduce coal consumption by 3.12 million tonnes and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 8.16 million tonnes annually.
The third-generation reactor is co-designed by CNNC and China General Nuclear Power Group.
CNNC stated: “At present, the total number of Hualong One units in operation and under construction at home and abroad has reached 33, making it the third-generation nuclear power technology with the largest number of units in operation and under construction in the world.”
Owned by CNNC-Guodian Zhangzhou Energy , a joint venture (JV) between CNNC and China Guodian, the Zhangzhou nuclear plant entails an investment of approximately $14bn.
When fully completed, the Zhangzhou nuclear power plant is projected to produce 58 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.
Currently, four Hualong One units are under construction at the site, with 1.13GW Unit 2 expected to commence operations in 2025. Phase II, involving Units 3 and 4 of 1GW each, is also underway, with construction on Unit 4 having started in October 2024.
Construction of Unit 1 began in 2019. Phase 1 of the Zhangzhou nuclear plant secured approval from the local government in 2014.
By 2035, China aims to expand its nuclear capacity to 200GW, up from 56.9GW reported at the end of 2023. This is in line with the nation’s goals of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.
