By Ma Dongwei

The No.2 unit of the Zhangzhou Nuclear Power plant, a subsidiary of China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), successfully connected to the grid and transmitted electricity for the first time. This marks the completion of grid connection for both units in the first phase of the Hualong One project.

Construction of the No.2 unit at the Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant began on Sep 4, 2020 and nuclear fuel was loaded on Oct 11, 2025.

The Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant is the starting point for the Hualong One project and is currently the world's largest Hualong One nuclear power plant. Six nuclear power units are planned under the Hualong One project. Upon completion, the project is expected to provide over 60 billion kWh of clean energy annually, enough to meet 75% of the combined electricity consumption of Xiamen and Zhangzhou cities in southern Fujian Province, effectively improving Fujian's "north-to-south power transmission" structure.

To date, the No.1 unit of the Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant has safely and stably generated over 8.8 billion kWh of electricity. The No.2 unit is expected to commence commercial operation within the year, while the No.3 and No.4 units are in the civil engineering and installation phase. Preliminary works on the No.5 and No.6 units are progressing steadily. As a key project to be put into operation during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, after the No.1 and No.2 units of the Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant are put into operation, their annual power generation is expected to reach 20 billion kWh, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 16 mil mt. This is equivalent to a reduction of over 6 mil mt of standard coal consumption annually.