Hot tests have been completed at unit 2 of China’s Taipingling NPP in Guangdong province. Unit 2 is the second of six HPR1000 (Hualong One) units planned at the site. The construction of units 1&2 began in 2019 and 2020 and are expected to begin operation in 2025. Construction of the second phase (units 3&4) was approved by China’s State Council in December 2023. China General Nuclear (CGN) said the hot tests marked “another step towards the goal of high-quality commissioning”.
Hot functional tests involve increasing the temperature of the reactor coolant system and carrying out comprehensive tests to ensure that coolant circuits and safety systems are operating as they should. The tests verify that nuclear island and conventional equipment and systems meet design requirements.
Cold functional tests – which are conducted to confirm whether components and systems important to safety are properly installed and ready to operate in a cold condition – were completed at Taipingling 2 earlier this year. Hot testing of unit 1 was completed in September 2024. Unit 1 is scheduled to start up in 2025, with unit 2 following in 2026.
Construction of unit 3 began in June this year and installation of thea containment shell is now underway. The lower part of the containment shell has been installed, according to CGN.
The 36 steel sub-modules of the lower head module were prefabricated, delivered to the construction site and welded together. The 130-tonne finished module, approximately 43 metres in diameter and six metres high, was lifted into position by a crawler crane with a capacity of 2,000 tonnes.
