Unit 1 of China’s Zhangzhou NPP in Fujian province – the first of six Hualong One (HPR1000) reactors planned for the site – has begun commercial operation after completing a full power demonstration run lasting 168 hours, according to China National Nuclear.
China’s Ministry of Ecology & Environment issued construction licences for Zhangzhou 1&2 (phase one) in 2019 to CNNC-Guodian Zhangzhou Energy Company, the owner of the Zhangzhou NPP, which was established in 2011. The Zhangzhou project, with a total investment of over CNY100bn ($14bn), is owned by CNNC (51%) and China Guodian Corporation (49%). The construction licences are valid for 10 years.
Units 1&2 began construction in 2019 and 2020. First concrete was poured for unit 3 in February – the first of two Hualong One units planned as the second phase of the plant. In September, first concrete was poured for the nuclear island of Zhangzhou unit 4. Two more Hualong One units are planned for the third phase.
In 2014, the local government approved Zhangzhou phase one, which was then expected to comprise two Westinghouse AP1000 units. Construction had originally been expected to start in 2017. However, CNNC subsequently decided to use the HPR1000 (Hualong One) Chinese design instead.
The Zhangzhou project – with a total investment of over CNY100bn ($14bn) – is owned by CNNC-Guodian Zhangzhou Energy Company, a joint venture between CNNC (51%) and China Guodian Corporation (49%).
