5 Jan (NucNet): Three nuclear reactors have begun commercial operation in China in recent weeks and construction has started on three more as the country sets out to build 40 new units over the next five years.
China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) confirmed that Fangchenggang-1 and Yangjiang-3 began commercial operation last week, while China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) said Changjiang-1 had begun commercial operation.
Fangchenggang-1 and Yangjiang-3 are both are both Generation II+ CPR-1000 units. Changjiang-1 is a Generation II CNP-600
In separate statements, CGN said construction had begun on Fangchenggang-3, and CNNC said construction had begun on Fuqing-6 and Tianwan-5.
Fangchenggang-3, an indigenous Hualong One reactor, will be a reference plant for the proposed Bradwell B station in the UK, CGN said. The 1,000-megawatt unit is the first Generation-III reactor design for which China has owned all intellectual property rights. It is a combination of China National Nuclear Corporation’s ACP-1000 and CGN's ACPR-1000+ designs. In May 2015, construction of the first Hualong One unit began at the Fuqing nuclear site in Fujian province.
Fuqing-6 will also be a Hualong One unit and Tianwan-5 will be a Generation III ACPR-1000.
According to the Chinese government, the country’s 13th five year plan period, running from 2016 to 2020, includes provisions for building six to eight new nuclear reactors a year.
The latest commercial operations and construction starts mean China has 33 reactors in commercial operation and 22 under construction.