China National Nuclear Corporation’s (CNNC) Zhangzhou nuclear power project Unit 1 has commenced commercial operations in Fujian Province, China.
The move aligns with China’s objectives to diversify its energy mix and achieve its carbon neutrality goals.
Unit 1, which has a net design capacity of 1.12GW, was connected to the national grid in November 2024. It meets the latest technical standards and global safety requirements.
China National Nuclear Power, a subsidiary of CNNC, oversees the investment and operational management of the Zhangzhou nuclear power project.
Zhangzhou’s Phase I, with two AP1000 units, was approved in May 2014. CNNC later opted for the Hualong One design, delaying construction to May 2017. Construction of Zhangzhou Unit 1 began in October 2019.
Hualong One is a domestically developed third-generation pressurised water reactor technology.
Each unit is capable of generating more than ten billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, enough to satisfy the yearly production and residential power needs of one million people in moderately developed countries.
This equates to a reduction of 3.12 million tonnes of standard coal consumption and a decrease of 8.16 million tonnes in carbon dioxide emissions each year.
Unit 2 of the Zhangzhou nuclear power plant being developed under Phase I is currently under construction. The inner dome of the unit was installed in August 2022. Utilising open-top construction technology, the unit set a record for the shortest build time from initial concrete pour to dome placement.
Two more Hualong One units are planned for Phase II of the Zhangzhou nuclear power plant and a further two are proposed for Phase III.
The Zhangzhou nuclear power project will feature six Hualong One nuclear power units upon completion.
The first batch of concrete for Unit 3 was poured in February 2024, and for Unit 4 in October 2024.
There are 33 nuclear power units with Hualong One either under construction or operational worldwide.
“China’s Zhangzhou nuclear plant Unit 1 begins commercial operations” was originally created and published by Power Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.
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