Taipingling-1 and Sanao-1 expected to begin power generation this year
China General Nuclear (CGN) has begun loading nuclear fuel at two new reactor units, marking a key step towards commissioning and first power generation, a statement by the company said.
CGN said fuel loading has started at Taipingling-1 in the southern Guangdong province and Sanao-1* in the eastern province of Zhejiang.
Both units are of the domestically developed 1,116-MW Hualong One pressurised water reactor design. The Hualong One, also known as the HPR1000, combines features from China National Nuclear Corporation’s ACP1000 and CGN’s ACPR1000+ designs.
Fuel loading is considered one of the most important commissioning milestones and lays the groundwork for subsequent first criticality and grid connection.
First electricity generation is expected for both units in the first half of 2026, according to CGN.
Construction of Taipingling-1 began in December 2019 and of Sanao-1 in December 2020. Taipingling-1 completed hot functional testing in September 2024 followed by Sanao-1 in June 2025.
Hot testing is performed to verify the operation of reactor components and systems together and confirm the reactor is ready for the loading of fuel.
There is one other Hualong One unit under construction at the Sanao nuclear power station and two additional Hualong Ones at the Taipingling site.
The International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) database of nuclear plants in China says China has 58 plants in commercial operation, which means Taipingling-1 and Sanao-1 will bring the number to 60 if commissioned later this year.
* Sanao is also known as Sanaocun or Zhejiang Sanao
