Fuel loading under way at first Zhangzhou unit

Monday, 14 October 2024

China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment issued an operating licence for the unit on 12 October.

"At 3.18pm, the Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Unit 1 began to load the first nuclear fuel, marking the entry of the unit into the main system with nuclear commissioning stage, laying a solid foundation for the subsequent unit criticality, grid-connected power generation and other work," China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) said.

In May 2014, the local government gave approval for Phase I of the Zhangzhou plant, comprising two AP1000 units. The National Nuclear Safety Administration gave approval in December 2015 for the AP1000 units and confirmed site selection in October 2016. Construction of Phase I had originally been expected to start in May 2017. However, CNNC subsequently decided to use the HPR1000 (Hualong One) design instead. Two more Hualong One units are planned for Phase II of the plant and a further two proposed for Phase III.

Construction of Zhangzhou 1 began in October 2019, with that of unit 2 starting in September 2020.

_{Four units are currently under construction at the Zhangzhou site (Image: CNNC)}

In September 2022, China's State Council approved the construction of two further Hualong One units as Phase II of the Zhangzhou plant. First concrete for the nuclear island of unit 3 was poured on 22 February this year. First concrete for unit 4 was poured last month.

The Zhangzhou project - with a total investment of over CNY100 billion (USD14 billion) - is owned by CNNC-Guodian Zhangzhou Energy Company, a joint venture between CNNC (51%) and China Guodian Corporation (49%).

"After completion, it will inject strong impetus into the economic and social development of Fujian Province," CNNC said.