Unit 5 at the Fuqing nuclear power station in Fujian province, southeastern China, has attained a sustained chain reaction, known as criticality, for the first time, China National Nuclear Corporation has announced.
Fuqing-5 is the first pilot project to use China's indigenous Generation III Hualong One technology, also known as HPR1000, and will be the first Hualong One to be commissioned.
CNNC said various commissioning tests will now be carried out at the 1,000-MW plant before it is connected to the electricity grid. Once connected, it will undergo tests at increasing power output levels before entering a full-power assessment period.
Fuqing-5, construction of which began in May 2015, is the first of two Hualong One units being built at the site. Construction of its sister unit, Fuqing-6, began in December 2015.
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