BEIJING (Reuters) – China National Nuclear Corp. said the first of its Hualong One units, third-generation nuclear reactors under pressure, began commercial operations on Saturday.
The reactor in Fuqing in the southeastern province of Fujian, was first connected to the grid on November 27 last year, after more than five years of construction.
“This indicates that China has mastered independent third-generation nuclear technology following the United States, France, Russia and others,” the company said in a statement on its official WeChat account.
The Hualong One units, designed to have a lifespan of 60 years, have an installed capacity of 1.161 million kilowatts each, CNNC said.
The construction of a second Hualong One unit at the Fuqing site will be completed this year.
CNNC said the project would help China ensure its national energy security and achieve carbon neutrality.
Reported by Min Zhang and Norihiko Shirouzu; edited by Jane Wardell