Unit 1 of China’s Qinshan Phase III NPP in Zhejiang province has been shut down after 738 days of continuous operation setting a record for the longest uninterrupted operation of a power reactor in China and a world record for a Candu-6 reactor.
Qinshan Phase III units 1&2 use Candu-6 pressurised heavy water reactor technology, supplied by Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL). Construction began in 1997. Unit 1 started up in September 2002 and unit 2 in April 2003.
China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) said that, during its latest operating cycle, which began on 24 April 2023, Qinshan III unit 1 generated more than 12.5 TWh of electricity, equivalent to reducing standard coal consumption by 3.8m tonnes and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 9.97m tonnes.
Pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWRs), such as Candus, are designed to be refuelled without shutting down. The world record for continuous operation of a nuclear plant is currently held by Kaiga unit 1 in India – also a PHWR – which was taken offline on 31 December 2019 after 962 days of operation.
Qinshan III units 1&2 are nearing the end of their initial 30-year design life. Operator, Third Qinshan Nuclear Power Company, is launching a programme to refurbish the reactors and associated fuel channels. The refurbishment will allow the units to continue operating for a further 30 years.
