21 Aug (NucNet): China’s Fuqing-1 nuclear unit in Fujian province has delivered electrical energy to the grid for the first time, the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) has said.
Fuqing-1 is now in the commissioning stage and is expected to become commercially operational in November 2014. The unit achieved first criticality on 24 July 2014.
According to CNNC, significant technical improvements were implemented at Fuqing-1, including an advanced fuel assembly design, a fully digital instrumentation and control (I&C) system, an improved fire protection system and new severe accident management counter-measures.
The Fuqing nuclear power station has four reactors under construction. They are of the domestic CPR-1000 Generation II+ pressurised water reactor (PWR) type with a net power capacity of 1000 megawatts each.
On 7 August, Fuqing-2 completed pre-commissioning hydrostatic testing of the unit’s primary loops. The unit is expected to come online in August 2015.
Fuqing-3 and -4 are expected to be completed in February 2016 and March 2017.
Preparatory work has also started on Fuqing-5 and -6 and CNNC is awaiting approval to begin construction.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Pris database, there are 20 commercially operational nuclear reactors in China and 28 under construction.
