China's Zhangzhou 2 reactor successfully completes hot tests

The second unit of the Zhangzhou nuclear power plant in China's Fujian province has successfully completed hot functional tests. Zhangzhou 2 is one of four Hualong One (HPR1000) reactors under construction at the site.

Hot tests on the unit involve raising the temperature of the coolant in the primary circuit and carrying out comprehensive checks to verify the proper functioning of the cooling loops and safety systems. They are conducted before nuclear fuel is loaded into the reactor core and simulate the unit's operating conditions.

Test progress and turbine trial

During the hot tests, the steam turbine was started up for the first time and reached a stable speed of 1500 revolutions per minute. The second reactor unit is now ready for the next stages, the most significant of which include the first loading of nuclear fuel into the reactor and the subsequent connection of the plant to the power grid.

“All systems on the non-nuclear island operated without problems during the scheduled tests. The key technical parameters of the turbogenerator met the required standards, marking the successful completion of non-nuclear commissioning,” China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) said.

Before the hot tests, Zhangzhou 2 had also undergone cold functional tests. These were used to verify the integrity of the primary circuit and the correct installation of components and systems important to nuclear safety under cold conditions. The cold tests also marked the first joint operation of the plant's primary circuit and auxiliary systems.

History of the Zhangzhou project

The Zhangzhou nuclear power plant is owned by CNNC-Guodian Zhangzhou Energy Company, which is jointly owned by CNNC (51%) and China Guodian Corporation (49%).

China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment issued construction permits for units 1 and 2 in October 2019. Construction of the first unit began a week after the permit was issued, while the second unit followed in September 2020.

In September 2022, China's State Council approved the construction of two more Hualong One reactors as the second phase of the Zhangzhou project. Concrete pouring for the nuclear island of unit 3 began in February 2023, with unit 4 following in September of the same year. A total of six Hualong One reactors are planned for the Zhangzhou site.

The first unit of the Zhangzhou nuclear power plant is already in commercial operation. The second unit is expected to start up in the fourth quarter of this year. Construction of units 3 and 4 began in 2024, and preparatory work on units 5 and 6 is progressing systematically according to plan.