Fuel Loading Commences at Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant Unit 2 in China

Key Milestone Achieved at Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant

Fuel loading commenced on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at the second power generation unit of the Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant in Fujian Province, southeast China. This significant step marks a critical transition from non-nuclear to nuclear testing, paving the way for eventual grid connection and commercial power generation.

The Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant is recognized as China's largest base utilizing Hualong One technology, a domestically developed third-generation reactor design. The plant is owned and operated by CNNC-Guodian Zhangzhou Energy Company, a joint venture between China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) and China Guodian Corporation.

Advancing China's Clean Energy Goals

The successful fuel loading of Zhangzhou Unit 2 underscores China's commitment to expanding its clean energy capacity and achieving its ambitious carbon reduction targets. The Hualong One reactor is central to these efforts, designed to enhance energy security and significantly reduce carbon emissions.

Each Hualong One unit is projected to produce over 10 billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually, sufficient to meet the electricity demands of approximately one million people in a moderately developed country. This output is equivalent to reducing standard coal consumption by 3.12 million tonnes and carbon dioxide emissions by 8.16 million tonnes per year for each unit.

Project Overview and Future Outlook

The Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant is planned to house a total of six Hualong One units. Unit 1 of the plant has already been in commercial operation since January 1, 2025. Following the fuel loading, Unit 2 is anticipated to begin commercial operation in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Construction for Units 3 and 4, part of Phase II of the project, began in 2024, with preparatory work for Units 5 and 6 also progressing. Once the first phase, comprising Units 1 and 2, is fully operational, it is expected to deliver 20 billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually.

China's broader energy strategy aims for nuclear power to play a crucial role in its energy mix. The nation targets 70 GW of installed nuclear capacity by 2025 and plans to build 150 new reactors over the next 15 years. Nuclear power's contribution to China's electricity generation is projected to increase to 10% by 2030 and potentially 18% by 2060, supporting the country's goal of achieving carbon neutrality by mid-century.