China’s Ministry of Ecology & Environment has issued an operating licence for unit 2 of Zhangzhou NPP in Fujian province. The process of loading 177 fuel assemblies into the core of the reactor began the same day, according to China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). The unit is the second of four Hualong One (HPR1000) reactors under construction at the site with two more planned.
China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment issued construction licences for Zhangzhou 1&2 in 2019 to CNNC-Guodian Zhangzhou Energy Company, the owner of the Zhangzhou nuclear power project, which was created by CNNC (51%) and China Guodian Corporation (49%) in 2011. Construction of unit 1 began one week after the construction licence was issued, with construction of unit 2 starting in September 2020. In September 2022, China’s State Council approved the construction of two further Hualong One units as Phase II of the Zhangzhou plant (units 3&4). First concrete for the nuclear island of unit 3 was poured in February 2024, and for unit 4 the following September. Preliminary work of units 5&6 is being carried out according to schedule.
CNNC said fuel loading meant “that the unit has entered the stage of commissioning the main system with nuclear power, laying a solid foundation for the criticality of subsequent units, their grid-connection and power generation”.
Read more: Zhangzhou’s first reactor begins operation
