Hainan's first Hualong One nuclear unit begins commercial operation

Unit 3 of the Huaneng Changjiang Nuclear Power Phase II project officially commenced commercial operation on Thursday, marking the entry into service of South China's Hainan province's first reactor powered by Hualong One, China's indigenously developed third-generation nuclear technology.

The milestone represents the first time that China Huaneng Group has constructed and operated a large pressurized water reactor nuclear power unit as the controlling stakeholder.

Following its landmark commercial operation of the Shidaowan high-temperature gas-cooled reactor demonstration project, the launch further elevates the State-owned power giant into a new phase of scaled, majority-owned commercial nuclear operations.

As the largest single power construction project currently underway in the province, the Huaneng Hainan Changjiang Phase II project is designed with two 1.2-gigawatt nuclear units.

Equipped with homegrown Generation-III "Hualong One" reactor technology, the project has actively driven the indigenous design of nuclear infrastructure and maximized the localization of domestic equipment manufacturing.

The reactor integrates an innovative blend of active and passive safety design concepts, substantially enhancing the operational reliability and intrinsic safety margins of the power plant.

The project is poised to serve as a clean energy cornerstone for the region's rapid development.

"Upon full completion, the Phase II project is expected to generate 18 billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually, replacing more than 6.32 million metric tons of standard coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 11.6 million tons every year," Liu Bin, general manager of Huaneng Hainan Changjiang Nuclear Power Co Ltd, said.

"This will provide a clean, safe, and efficient power supply to anchor the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port while accelerating the nation's progress toward its dual-carbon targets."

zhengxin@chinadaily.com.cn