Third reactor at Changjiang plant starts up

The 1,100 MWe pressurised water reactor (PWR), being constructed by CNNC Engineering, achieved first criticality at 18:00 (local time) on 10 July, CNNC said. "This marks the official attainment of a self-sustaining and controllable chain fission reaction capability for the Hainan Unit 3 reactor, laying a solid foundation for subsequent grid connection and commissioning," it said.

Two Hualong One (HPR1000) reactors are being constructed in the second phase of the Changjiang plant. First concrete was poured for the base slab of unit 3's nuclear island in March 2021, with that of unit 4 being poured in the December of that year. Changjiang Phase II - units 3 and 4 - represents a total estimated investment of CNY40 billion (USD5.9 billion), according to China Huaneng, which holds a 51% share in the project. The construction period is expected to be 60 months. Both units are scheduled to be fully operational in early 2027.

The Changjiang nuclear site is already home to two operating CNP-600 PWRs - Changjiang 1 and 2 - which entered commercial operation in 2015 and 2016, respectively. In 2021, CNNC also began construction of a demonstration ACP100 small modular reactor at the site. The multi-purpose 125 MWe PWR - also referred to as the Linglong One - is designed for electricity production, heating, steam production or seawater desalination. It is currently undergoing pre-commissioning tests.

The island province of Hainan is China's southernmost point. Energy policies published in 2019 by Hainan Province Development and Reform Commission specify that nuclear power will become the primary source of electricity for the island, which has a population of close to 10 million.