China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) said that unit 4 of the Fuqing nuclear plant in Fujian province was connected to the grid on 29 July, making it China’s 37th operational power reactor.
First concrete was poured for the 1087MWe CPR-1000 unit in December 2012, and its dome was put in place in June 2014. Fuel loading was completed on 19 June, and the first criticality was achieved on 16 July. The unit is expected to begin commercial operation later this year.
The Fuqing plant will eventually house six power reactors, four CPR-1000 units (1-4) and two indigenously-designed Hualong One units (Fuqing 5&6). Units 1 to 3 began commercial operation in November 2014, October 2015 and October 2016, respectively.
China's State Council approved construction of Fuqing 5&6 in2015. First concrete was poured for Fuqing 5 in May 2015 and for Fuqing 6 the following December. All six units are expected to be in operation by 2021.
Fuqing NPP is owned by CNNC subsidiary China Nuclear Power Company (51%); Huadian Fuxin Energy Company (39%); and Fujian Investment and Development Group (10%).
Photo: Fuqing 4 (Credit: CNNC)
