Containment integrity tests have been completed at unit 1 of China’s Zhangzhou NPP in Fujian province, according to China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) subsidiary China Nuclear Industry 23 Construction Company Limited (CNI23).
For the structural integrity test, the vessel was pressurised and monitored to confirm that its design and construction met the relevant industry codes and standards at 110% of design pressure. The vessel was then pressurised to design pressure (0.420 MPa) for an integrated leak rate test intended to ensure it would prevent the release of radioactive materials in the event of an emergency. Acoustic leak detection was employed with changes in the containment structure performance also being monitored through internal visual inspection and external visual inspection tests.
Two Hualong One reactors are under construction at the site (1&2) as phase one of the project. China’s Ministry of Ecology & Environment issued construction licences for Zhangzhou 1&2 in 2019 to CNNC-Guodian Zhangzhou Energy Company, the owner of the Zhangzhou NPP, which was established in 2011. It is owned by CNNC (51%) and China Guodian Corporation (49%). The licences are valid for 10 years. Units 1&2 are scheduled to begin commercial operation in 2024 and 2025. First concrete was poured for unit 3 in February – the first of two Hualong One units planned as the second phase of the plant. Two more Hualong One units are planned for the third phase.
In 2014, the local government had approved Zhangzhou phase one, which was then expected to comprise two Westinghouse AP1000 units. The National Nuclear Safety Administration gave its approval in 2015 and confirmed site selection in 2016. Construction had originally been expected to start in 2017. However, CNNC subsequently decided to use the HPR1000 (Hualong One) Chinese design instead. Construction of Zhangzhou 1 began in October 2019 followed by unit 2 in September 2020. The units are scheduled to enter commercial operation in 2024 and 2025.
“According to the plan, unit 1 will generate electricity within the year, which will drive the economic and social development of southern Fujian and serve as a new development engine for the region to achieve carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals,” CNNC said in May. It noted that preparations are currently under way for cold functional tests at unit 2.
