Unit 4 at China’s Fangchenggang NPP in the Guangxi Autonomous Region has begun commercial operation, according to the Guangxi Fangchenggang Nuclear Power Co (part of China General Nuclear Power Corporation – CGN). The 1,180 MWe pressurised water reactor is the second of two demonstration Hualong One (HPR1000) reactors (units 3&4) at the site. The Fangchenggang plant will eventually house six reactors. Phase one (units 1&2) are CPR-1000 units which began commercial operation in 2016. Units 5 and 6 are expected to be Hualong One reactors.
Operation of Fangchenggang 4 followed a 168-hour trial operation. This further verified the safety, maturity, and advanced nature of Hualong One technology, said Cai Zhen, chairman of Guangxi Fangchenggang Nuclear Power Co. It can provide a replicable experience for the large-scale deployment of Hualong One units, he added.
Nuclear power generation on the Chinese mainland reached 440,000 GWh in 2023, accounting for nearly 5% of total national electricity output, according to the China Atomic Energy Authority.
