On the same day, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment granted an operating license for Zhangzhou Unit 2 to CNNC-Guodian Zhangzhou Energy Company, the project’s owner. The license was issued by Dong Baotong, Vice Minister of Ecology and Environment and Director of the National Nuclear Safety Administration, with Zhang Kai, a member of the Party Group and Deputy General Manager of CNNC, present at the ceremony. Fuel loading began at 16:13, marking a key milestone in the project’s timeline.
CNNC highlighted the significance of this step, stating: “that the unit has entered the stage of commissioning the main system with nuclear power, laying a solid foundation for the subsequent unit criticality and grid-connected power generation.” The corporation projects that Unit 2 will commence operations in the final quarter of 2025, contributing to the region’s energy supply.
The Zhangzhou nuclear power project, a collaboration between CNNC (51%) and China Guodian Corporation (49%), received construction licenses for Units 1 and 2 on October 9, 2019, from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. Construction of Unit 1 started shortly thereafter, followed by Unit 2 in September 2020. In September 2022, China’s State Council approved two additional Hualong One reactors for Phase II of the Zhangzhou plant, with construction of Unit 3 beginning in February 2024 and Unit 4 in September 2024.
The Zhangzhou site is planned to house six Hualong One reactors, designed to deliver reliable, low-carbon energy to meet growing electricity demands. The fuel loading of Unit 2 signifies steady progress toward operational readiness, aligning with the project’s phased development strategy. This step ensures that the reactor’s main systems are prepared for testing and eventual power generation, reinforcing the facility’s role in sustainable energy production.
The Hualong One reactor design, a domestically developed technology, emphasizes efficiency and safety. The ongoing construction of four units at Zhangzhou, with two more approved, reflects a commitment to expanding nuclear energy capacity in Fujian province. The project also supports job creation and technological advancement in the region’s energy sector.
As Unit 2 moves toward commissioning, the focus remains on meeting safety and operational standards, with CNNC overseeing rigorous testing phases. The successful initiation of fuel loading positions Zhangzhou Unit 2 to contribute significantly to China’s energy goals, supporting a stable and environmentally friendly power supply by late 2025.
