Grid connection for first Fuqing unit

Unit 1 of the Fuqing nuclear power plant in China's Fujian province has been connected to the electricity grid, becoming China National Nuclear Corporation's tenth operating power reactor. It is expected to enter commercial operation by the end of the year.

Unit 1 of the Fuqing nuclear power plant in China's Fujian province has been connected to the electricity grid, becoming China National Nuclear Corporation's (CNNC's) tenth operating power reactor. It is expected to enter commercial operation by the end of the year.

Guests and the media watch on as Fuqing 1 starts supplying electricity to the grid (Image CNNC)

The Chinese-developed CPR-1000 was connected to the grid at 5.08pm on 20 August, CNNC said.

Construction of the 1087 MWe unit began in November 2008. The reactor achieved first criticality on 24 July, since when core physics tests and testing of the steam generators followed, as well as the start up of all the units' turbines. Network testing at Fuqing 1 began on 13 August. Various tests - including load testing and transient tests - will now be carried out before the reactor reaches full power. Additional approvals needs to be obtained from relevant government authorities before the unit officially enters commercial operation, expected in November.

The Fuqing plant will eventually house six Chinese-designed pressurized water reactors. It is CNNC's first plant based on the CPR-1000 design. Unit 2, construction of which began in June 2009, is expected to start operating in August 2015. First concrete was poured for units 3 and 4 in 2010 and 2012, respectively. Those reactors should begin operation in February 2016 and March 2017. Preparatory work for the construction of Fuqing 5 and 6 is underway.

CNNC said that the localization rate in construction of units 1 and 2 was over 75%, while that of units 3 and 4 is expected to exceed 80%.

When all six units are in operation, the Fuqing plant will provide about one-third of the province's electricity, according to CNNC.

Researched and written
by World Nuclear News