Unit 6 of the China National Nuclear Cooperation's (CNNC’s) Fuqing nuclear power plant in Fujian province began commercial operation on 25 March, meaning that the Hualong One demonstration project has been completed, CNNC said.
The Hualong One (HPR1000) is CNNC's third-generation pressurised water reactor with full intellectual property rights. It was developed and designed based on more than 30 years of experience in nuclear power research, design, manufacturing, construction, operation and management.
The Hualong One reactor has a 177-assembly core design and uses a combination of passive and active safety systems, CNNC said.
Fuqing 5&6 – the two units of the Hualong One demonstration project – will generate around 20TWh of electricity a year. This is equivalent to reducing standard coal consumption by 6.24 million tons, cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 16.32 million tons, or planting more than 140 million trees, CNNC said.
China's State Council approved construction of Fuqing 5&6 in 2015. First concrete for Fuqing 5 was poured in May 2015 and followed at Fuqing 6 in December 2015. Fuqing 5 was connected to the grid in November 2020 and began commercial operation in January 2021. Fuqing 6 was connected to the grid on 1 January 2022.
Photo: Six reactors, including two Hualong One units, are now in operation at China's Fuqing nuclear site (Photo: CNNC)
