China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) said cold testing at unit 3 of the Xudabao NPP in Liaoning Province has been completed. “The cold functional test is a significant milestone in the construction of a nuclear power unit, representing the first comprehensive ‘check-up’ of the reactor and primary loop equipment,” CNNC said. “It aims to verify the overall performance of related systems and equipment under cold, high-pressure conditions. The successful completion of this test fully demonstrates that the primary loop pressure boundary of unit 3 at the Xudabao NPP is intact and the equipment performance is reliable, effectively ensuring the safe and stable operation of the unit in the future.”
In June 2018, Russia and China signed four agreements, including for the construction of two VVER-1200 reactors at the new Xudabao (also known as Xudapu) site.
The Xudabao project was originally expected to comprise six CAP1000 reactors with units 1&2 as the first phase. However, plans changed, and two Russian-supplied VVER-1200 reactors were instead designated for Xudabao 3&4 for which the contracts were signed in 2019, with construction starting in July 2021 and May 2022. The agreements signed in June 2019 included a general contract for the construction of Xudabao units 3&4, as well as a contract for the supply of nuclear fuel. Commissioning of the units is scheduled for 2027 and 2028, respectively.
In November 2023, the Ministry of Ecology & Environment announced that the National Nuclear Safety Administration had decided to issue a construction licence for Xudabao 1&2 with 1250 MWe CAP1000 reactors – the Chinese version of the Westinghouse AP1000. Two further CAP1000 reactors are proposed for units 5&6.
The Xudabao NPP is owned by Liaoning Nuclear Power Company Ltd, in which CNNC holds a 70% stake with Datang International Power Generation Company holding 20% and State Development and Investment Corporation owning 10%.
