Hainan nuke plant prepares to power up

The Hainan Changjiang nuclear power plant on the tropical resort island of Hainan is planning to start commercial operations later this month upon completion of the first generator's full power operational test.

Li Qiang, deputy manger of Hainan Nuclear Power Co, owner of the Changjiang plant, confirmed the planned start on Tuesday.

The power plant on the west coast of Hainan island began construction in 2010. It has two 650,000 kilowatt nuclear power generators. The first has operated successfully during more than a year of low-power testing. The second generator is expected to go online next August.

Currently, more than 58 percent of the South China Sea island's power comes from coal power, and it has experienced electrical shortages for years, according to media reports.

With two fully operating generators, the plant will be able to supply electricity for 30 percent of the island's needs, said Zou Yimin, of the company's environmental emergency department.

It will solve the island's electrical supply problem and make the province among cleanest energy users in the country, Zou said.