Hualong One Nuclear Power Base Completes Phase I Milestone

Published on Feb 15, 2026.
Hualong One Nuclear Power Base Completes Phase I Milestone

China's Hualong One technology reached a significant milestone as Unit 2 at the Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant commenced operations, marking the completion of Phase I of the world's largest Hualong One nuclear power base. This advancement is poised to contribute an impressive 60 billion kilowatt-hours of clean energy annually.

Unit 2 of the China National Nuclear Corporation's Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant, located in east China's Fujian Province, officially began commercial operation after successfully passing a rigorous 168-hour full-power continuous operation test. This achievement signifies the full commissioning of the facility's first phase.

The Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant serves as the launchpad for extensive deployment of China's domestically developed Hualong One nuclear technology, with plans to accommodate a total of six Hualong One units at the site.

Currently, both Units 1 and 2 are in commercial operation, with Unit 1 having generated more than 10.2 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity to date. Concurrently, construction efforts for Units 3 and 4 are progressing, while preparatory work is underway for Units 5 and 6.

When fully operational, the Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant is expected to deliver approximately 60 billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity each year, significantly bolstering China's energy resources.

Hualong One represents a third-generation nuclear technology that has been wholly developed within China and holds complete intellectual property rights. This achievement marks a pivotal evolution for China in its quest to transition from a significant nuclear power player to a global frontrunner in nuclear energy.

Each Hualong One unit has the capability of producing up to 10 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, contributing to an annual reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of about 8.16 million tonnes, an equivalent of cutting down over 3 million tonnes of standard coal usage each year.

Hualong One has attained the distinction of being the third-generation nuclear technology with the highest number of reactors either currently operational or approved for construction worldwide, demonstrating China's expanding influence and competitiveness in the nuclear energy sector.

ENVIRONMENTSCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Read These Next

img
technology

Can Europe Win the Quantum Computing Race?

An overview of the potential of quantum computing in Europe, focusing on advancements from startups like Alice & Bob and the implications for the future.