Unit 3 of the Fangchenggang nuclear power station in the Guangxi Autonomous Region of southern China has begun commercial operation, bringing the number of commercial reactors in the country to 56 – the second highest in the world equal with France.

China General Nuclear (CGN) said the 1,000 MW pressurised water reactor unit – the first of two demonstration HPR1000, or Hualong One, reactors at the site – completed a 168-hour trial test run at 06.55 on 25 March, “officially meeting the conditions for commercial operation”.

The Hualong One is an indigenous PWR. It incorporates elements of China National Nuclear Corporation’s ACP1000 and CGN’s ACPR1000+ reactor designs.

Fangchenggang-3 achieved first criticality on 27 December and was connected to the grid for the first time on 10 January. Construction of the plant, which is owned and operated by Guangxi Fangchenggang Nuclear Power Company, a joint venture of CGN and Guangxi Investment Group, began in 2015.