Construction of Zhangzhou-2, a domestic 1,126-MW HPR1000, or Hualong One, pressurised water reactor (PWR), began in September 2020. An identical unit at Zhangzhou-1 has been under construction since October 2019.
In a PWR system, the steam generators act as heat exchangers where water carrying heat generated from the nuclear reaction is used to turn demineralised water into steam.
The Hualong One is an indigenous, three-loop pressurised water reactor. It incorporates elements of CNNC’s ACP1000 and China General Nuclear’s ACPR1000+ reactor designs.
CNNC said earlier that Zhangzhou-1 was scheduled to enter commercial operation in 2024 and Zhangzhou-2 in 2025.
All major components for the nuclear island at Zhangzhou-1 had already been installed before the containment building dome was lifted into place in May 2022.
China has eight other Hualong One units under construction domestically at four sites – two each at Taipingling, Fangchenggang, Changjiang and Sanaocun, also known as Zhejiang Sanao and San’ao.
The country has only two Hualong One units in commercial operation at Fuqing, also in Fujian province, southeastern China.
