No.1 and No.2 units of the Zhangzhou nuclear power plant, both of which have entered commercial operation. Photo: China Central Television (CCTV)

World’s largest Hualong One nuclear power base officially completed its Phase I project on Thursday, after the No.2 Unit of the Zhangzhou nuclear power plant entered commercial operation. It marks a key step in the large-scale rollout of China’s independently developed third-generation nuclear power technology, the China Central Television (CCTV) reported.

The progress marks a key step forward in the large-scale deployment of China’s independently developed third-generation nuclear power technology, analysts said.

As of 00:07 am on January 1, the No.2 Unit of Zhangzhou nuclear power plant in East China's Fujian Province had successfully passed a 168-hour full-power continuous operation test and was formally put into commercial operation, according to the CCTV report. With both units of Phase I now online, the project has moved from construction into operation.

Following the commissioning of the first two units, the base is expected to generate 20 billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually, equivalent to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 16 million tons each year.

China's Hualong One is fully independent third-generation nuclear technology, and it has obtained European Utility Requirements certification and passed the UK Generic Design Assessment. 

It is a third-generation pressurized water reactor nuclear technology developed and designed by China, with full proprietary intellectual property rights, and is widely regarded as a cornerstone in the country’s push to move from a major nuclear power producer to a leading nuclear power nation.

A single Hualong One unit can generate up to 10 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 8.16 million tonnes, equivalent to cutting more than 3 million tonnes of standard coal consumption each year.

The Hualong One has become the third-generation nuclear power technology with the largest number of reactors in operation and under construction worldwide, underscoring China’s growing strength in nuclear technology and its overall competitiveness in the global nuclear industry, people.cn reported on Thursday.

The Zhangzhou plant serves as the starting point for the large-scale deployment of the Hualong One technology and is the world’s largest nuclear power base built around the domestically developed reactor, with a total of six Hualong One units planned.

Unit 1 of the Zhangzhou plant entered commercial operation on January 1, 2025, and as of December 24, 2025, its annual power generation exceeded 10 billion kilowatt-hours, according to official data.

Once fully completed, the Zhangzhou nuclear power base is expected to supply around 60 billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually, significantly improving Fujian Province’s power structure and helping optimize the province’ s north-to-south electricity transmission pattern.

Global Times