Unit 1 of the Zhejiang Sanao nuclear power project, China’s first NPP featuring private capital participation and the first Hualong One unit in the Yangtze River Delta region, has begun operation and started electricity generation, China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) announced. This followed the completion of the 168-hour trial operation test.
Since its inception, the mega-project has collaborated with about 2,000 private enterprises, achieving multiple breakthroughs in independent core technology, intelligent engineering construction, and innovative financing models. The project marks a historic step as China’s first nuclear endeavour to introduce private investment.
The Sanao NPP will eventually consist of six Hualong One units Construction of the plant was authorised in 2015 by the Chinese government. The plant is being constructed by the Cangnan Nuclear Power Company, part of CGN. The Sanao project is the first Chinese nuclear power project involving private capital, with Geely Technology Group taking a 2% stake in the plant. CGN holds 46% of the shares of the project company Cangnan Nuclear Power, with other state-owned enterprises holding the remainder.
Construction of the first unit began in December 2020 followed by unit 2 in December 2021. In August 2024, CGN received approval to construct units 3&4 and construction of unit 3 began in 2025. The first unit is expected to begin operation in 2026, and unit 2 in 2027.
Du Yanhui, Chairman of CGN Cangnan Nuclear Power Co said the unit is expected to generate more than 9 TWh of electricity annually, which can meet the annual production and living electricity needs of more than 1 million residents.
Wang Yiheng, member of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and director of the Provincial Energy Monitoring Centre, said: “The Sanao Nuclear Power Plant is a model for major projects in the fields of new energy and new infrastructure to effectively open their doors and build a platform for private capital, and has exemplary significance.”
To date, the Sanao Nuclear Power Phase I project has dealt with a total of 13,926 experience feedback items, completed more than 260 design optimisations and improvements such as cold source improvement, overhaul and repowering transformation, and 5G private network construction
Upon completion, the project will provide more than 54 TWh of electricity annually to Zhejiang Province and the Yangtze River Delta region, reducing standard coal consumption by over 16 million tonnes and carbon dioxide emissions by over 51 million tonnes annually, CGN noted.
