Unit 4 at China’s Fangchenggang NPP in the Guangxi Autonomous Region has been connected to the grid, according to China General Nuclear (CGN). The unit 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.
Hot functional testing of Fangchenggang 4 began in September 2023. The National Nuclear Safety Administration (NNSA) issued CGN a licence to operate in February 2024 and fuel loading was completed on 2 March. The 1,180 MWe pressurised water reactor achieved criticality earlier in April.
Unit 3 began commercial operation in March 2023. The first concrete for the nuclear island of unit 3 was poured in 2015 and for unit 4 in 2016. The units were originally expected to be launched in 2019 and 2020 but this was delayed until 2022 for both units. In 2020 commissioning of the units was again postponed due to the coronavirus epidemic.
Image: Fangchenggang nuclear power plant (courtesy of CGN)
